Numerical Modelling of Structural Behavior of RC Frames With and Without Infill Walls Subjected to Progressive Collapse

This paper aims to develop a numerical model of RC frame considering the same geometrical properties, material properties and boundary conditions in ABAQUS and validated with the experimental results comparing its force-displacement curve, damage pattern and stress and strain variations with the experimental outcomes. The use of infill walls increases the progressive collapse resistance force, mainly in the CAA. This is due to the addition of compressive action of infill walls to beam bending and CAA of RC frame. Plastic hinge was observed at the beam ends in case of RC bare frame. However, in the case of RC frame with infill wall, the plastic hinge was formed at some distance from middle joint interface and near the adjacent column joint on first floor and at some distance from adjacent column joint and near middle joint interface on second floor. Furthermore, in order to examine the effect of full height infill walls on progressive collapse resistance mechanism, RC frame with full height concrete block is modeled in ABAQUS and compare the results. It is seen that the RC frame with full height infill walls provides much higher progressive collapse resistance force in all stages i.e. beam mechanism stage, transient stage and catenary action stage.