Development of innovative approaches for ensuring cost-effective global robustness of steel structures

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Fortunately, structural collapse is a rare event, but it can happen due to a variety of potential triggers. "Progressive collapse" scenarios result in the extent of collapse within a structure being grossly disproportionate to the magnitude of the event that initiated it. This phenomenon has been observed in high-profile events such as the collapse of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. Although cases of this magnitude are relatively rare, progressive collapse events that are less publicised also occur.This research will develop new ways of designing steel structures economically in a way that will increase their resistance to progressive collapse failures, should localised damage be imparted due to accidental or intentional explosion, impact, extreme environmental loading (such as earthquakes or tornado/hurricane damage), structural deficiency, or any other unexpected, but extreme, event. The research will involve large-scale testing of structural components, as well as computer simulations of structures that mimic global structural behaviour in the damaged state.Arising from this research program will be specific design guidance that will maximise structural integrity and robustness of steel structures, while keeping economics as a key consideration. These guidelines will be recommended for implementation into design codes and standards within Canada and internationally in order to prevent progressive collapse from occurring as a result of localised structural damage.