Quantification of Slab Influences on the Dynamic Performance of RC Frames against Progressive Collapse

AbstractNumerous studies have indicated that the practice of ignoring the contribution of reinforced concrete (RC) slab in resisting progressive collapse is overconservative; however, the extent of influence of a slab, especially in terms of dynamic responses, have been rarely studied. To quantify this effect, two series of RC beam–column substructures (named DS and DF in this paper), with and without slab respectively were subjected to a series of dynamic tests involving the sudden removal of a corner support. To further elucidate the dynamic response of RC frames against progressive collapse, the experimental data acquired in this study were compared with their respective static responses derived in a previous series of tests published in another paper. The dynamic effects were evaluated by the newly defined term dynamic load increase factor (DLIF), which was defined as the ratio of static ultimate strength (SUS) to dynamic ultimate strength (DUS). The SUS of the test specimens had been captured in thei...