Unified Progressive Collapse Design Requirements for DOD and GSA

As demonstrated in this paper, the updated UFC 4-023-03 has been significantly revised and improved relative to the initial version, to satisfy both DoD and GSA requirements. The modifications address shortcomings in the Tie Force and Alternate Path methods and result in a document that is more technically sound and rigorous, based on analysis and experimental data. The use of Occupancy Categories to determine applicability and level of design requirements should open the combined GSA and DoD progressive collapse design requirements to a wider audience. Procedures outlined in the updated UFC 4-023-03 will also provide a substantial basis for prescriptive methods planned as a part of progressive collapse mitigation approaches being developed for consensus-based, civilian building design codes.