Nonlinear behaviour of reinforced concrete flat slabs after a column loss event

Previous studies have demonstrated that reinforced concrete flat slab structures could be vulnerable to progressive collapse. Although such events are highly dynamic, simplified static analyses using the sudden column loss scenario are often used to gain an indication into the robustness of the structure. In this study, finite element analysis is used to replicate column loss scenarios on a range of RC flat slab floor models. The model was firstly validated against the results of scaled slab experiments and then used to investigate the influence of different geometric and material variables, within standard design ranges, on the response of the structure. The results demonstrate that slab elements are able to effectively redistribute loading after a column loss event, and therefore prevent a progressive collapse. However, the shear forces to remaining columns were 159% of their fully supported condition and increased to 300% when a dynamic amplification factor of 2.0 was applied. It is shown that this can potentially lead to a punching shear failure in some of the slab elements.