Robustness-oriented conceptual design of precast concrete frame structures

Ongoing research on structural robustness of precast concrete (PC) structures is a source of debate in the structural engineering community because few studies are currently available in the literature exploring it thoroughly. The importance of preventing progressive collapse of such structures relies upon redistribution capacity of structural members through connections and tying systems. A recent study has demonstrated that continuous ties along members can substantially improve the progressive collapse performance of PC buildings. In this paper, quantitative data from nonlinear dynamic analyses of a frame structure under peripheral column removal at different floors is processed to identify the most demanding scenarios. Furthermore, the dependency of the robustness assessment on the ties’ mechanical properties has been investigated both in terms of resistance and ductility. Finally, some remarks concerning the design of key elements, such as columns placed at the corner of the building, are given. The study is aimed at driving the conceptual design of PC frame structures towards robust solutions able to mitigate the risk of progressive collapse under extreme events.