Dynamic Collapse Simulation of 3-Bay RC Frame under Extreme Earthquake Loadings

Collapse experiments are found very helpful in facilitating collapse analysis of new buildings and identification of older buildings that are at high risk of structural collapse during severe earthquake events. Experimental observations from dynamic global collapse of a single story 3-bay RC frame are presented in this paper. The frame is composed of shear-critical columns and ductile columns to allow for load redistribution. A near-fault record from the September 21 (local time) 1999 Chi-Chi Taiwan earthquake was employed. Preliminary investigation shows that existing empirical equations are able to predict hysteretic backbone until the point of structural collapse with satisfaction.