Title: Design of load-bearing precast concrete buildings to resist progressive collapse
Date Published: September - October 2020
Volume: 65
Issue: 5
Page Numbers: 21 - 37
Authors: Charles J. Oswald and Spencer E. Quiel
https://doi.org/10.15554/pcij65.5-01

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Abstract

Building designs that can resist progressive collapse (also referred to as disproportionate collapse) require enhanced connectivity and continuity between structural elements so that the elements surrounding a damaged supporting component can redistribute loads without failing themselves, though they may sustain heavy damage in doing so. The design space for progressive-collapse-resistant buildings presents an untapped market opportunity for the precast concrete industry that to date has mostly relied on structural steel and cast-in-place concrete design solutions. To help unlock these opportunities, a recent PCI-funded project has developed an illustrative example for a progressive-collapse-resistant precast concrete building design that meets the requirements of current U.S. government standards. The example summarized in this paper illustrates the upgrades needed for a typical five-story office building with exterior precast concrete load-bearing walls to meet progressive-collapse-resistance requirements per the alternate path and tie force design methods. The resulting designs per each method have substantial differences due to their varying strategies for developing continuity between structural elements.