Journal of Structural and Construction Engineering

Journal of Structural and Construction Engineering

Progressive collapse Analysis of steel moment frames with semi-rigid bolted end plate connections

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mahmood Amoupour 1
Mohammad Reza Sheidaii 2
1 Phd Student of Structural Engineering, Engineering College, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
2 Professor, Engineering College, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
10.22065/jsce.2025.492458.3594
Abstract
Progressive collapse refers to the failure of a critical structural member, leading to the gradual collapse of other members and potentially causing significant or total structural failure. The requirement to define and model plastic hinges for all structural components, including beams, columns, and connections (for all probable limit states), is an important requirement outlined in the code for the design of buildings to resist progressive collapse (UFC). In this research, the impact of simultaneously modeling plastic hinges for beam and column members, as well as semi-rigid connections of the bolted end plate type, on the progressive collapse resistance of steel moment frame structures has been studied. The design limit states of the mentioned connection include Yielding of end plate, Failure of weld and Yield of bolts. A 5-story steel frame was analyzed with and without connection plastic hinges, using the nonlinear static alternate path method (UFC) to assess collapse potential by removing corner, peripheral, and internal columns. Results indicate that modeling plastic hinges for both connections and members reduces the structure’s resistance to progressive collapse compared to modeling only beams and columns. Strength reductions ranged from 23.03% to 44.39% when connection plastic hinges were included. Among the limit states, end-plate yielding performed best, while weld failure was the weakest in all column removal scenarios.
Keywords
Semi rigid connections
Progressive collapse
Steel moment frame
Plastic hinges
Alternate path method
Dynamic increase factor

Subjects

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Journal of Structural and Construction Engineering
Volume 12, Issue 09 - Serial Number 98
December 2025
Pages 195-214

  • Receive Date 18 December 2024
  • Revise Date 28 February 2025
  • Accept Date 04 March 2025