A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Progressive collapse evaluation of Murrah Federal Building following sudden loss of column G20
Highlights Initial damage to MFB must have been more severe than just sudden loss of column G20. Third floor column G20 does not continue pushing transfer girder down after column loss. Vierendeel frame action contributes to transferring gravity loads away from damaged area. Axial compressive force developed in transfer girder enhances its flexural capacity.
Abstract The Murrah Federal Building (MFB) was the main target of the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995. Previous studies have concluded that the building would have collapsed even if exterior column G20 was statically removed. In this paper, the system-level response of the MFB due to the sudden loss of column G20 is analytically studied. It is demonstrated that the building would have resisted progressive collapse, even if the column was suddenly removed. Two important reasons have led to a different conclusion from those of the previous studies. First, the axial compressive force of the column above the lost column diminishes only a few milliseconds after column removal, thus, it does not continue to push the supporting girder down. Second, two collapse resisting mechanisms were not considered in the previous studies: (a) a beam’s tendency to grow as it cracks and yields under flexure and its effects on the axial–flexural response of the 3rd floor transfer girder, resulting in the enhancement of its gravity load carrying capacity and (b) the redistribution of the gravity loads through new load paths in both longitudinal and transverse directions through Vierendeel frame action. Given that the structure collapsed, the initial damage to the MFB must have been more severe than a sudden loss of column G20.
Progressive collapse evaluation of Murrah Federal Building following sudden loss of column G20
Highlights Initial damage to MFB must have been more severe than just sudden loss of column G20. Third floor column G20 does not continue pushing transfer girder down after column loss. Vierendeel frame action contributes to transferring gravity loads away from damaged area. Axial compressive force developed in transfer girder enhances its flexural capacity.
Abstract The Murrah Federal Building (MFB) was the main target of the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995. Previous studies have concluded that the building would have collapsed even if exterior column G20 was statically removed. In this paper, the system-level response of the MFB due to the sudden loss of column G20 is analytically studied. It is demonstrated that the building would have resisted progressive collapse, even if the column was suddenly removed. Two important reasons have led to a different conclusion from those of the previous studies. First, the axial compressive force of the column above the lost column diminishes only a few milliseconds after column removal, thus, it does not continue to push the supporting girder down. Second, two collapse resisting mechanisms were not considered in the previous studies: (a) a beam’s tendency to grow as it cracks and yields under flexure and its effects on the axial–flexural response of the 3rd floor transfer girder, resulting in the enhancement of its gravity load carrying capacity and (b) the redistribution of the gravity loads through new load paths in both longitudinal and transverse directions through Vierendeel frame action. Given that the structure collapsed, the initial damage to the MFB must have been more severe than a sudden loss of column G20.
Progressive collapse evaluation of Murrah Federal Building following sudden loss of column G20
Kazemi-Moghaddam, Ali (author) / Sasani, Mehrdad (author)
Engineering Structures ; 89 ; 162-171
2015-02-02
10 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Progressive collapse evaluation of Murrah Federal Building following sudden loss of column G20
| Online Contents | 2015
Simulation of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building Collapse Due to Blast Loads
| British Library Conference Proceedings | 2006
Simulation of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building Collapse Due to Blast Loads
| British Library Conference Proceedings | 2003
Murrah Building Collapse: Reassessment of the Transfer Girder
| British Library Online Contents | 2012