Numerical study on the anti-progressive collapse performance of steel frame-steel plate shear wall structures

Abstract Although the lateral behaviour of the steel frame-steel plate shear wall (SF-SPSW) system has attracted much attention, there has been relatively lesser research conducted on its performance with respect to anti-progressive collapse. This study considers six SF-SPSW substructures with different column failures to be the targets of research. A simplified and detailed analysis method using Cartesian connectors instead of bolts is presented, which can improve the analysis efficiency of the collapse-resistant performance of SF-SPSWs with flush end-plate connections. Results indicate that SF-SPSW subjected to progressive collapse may resist the external load by flexure mechanism, arch compression mechanism, Vierendeel mechanism, catenary mechanism, and tensile mechanism of the steel plate. After the pseudo-failure column is removed, the remaining structures can be rebalanced and will not collapse under design loads. However, their failure modes and resistance mechanisms will vary with the location of the pseudo-failure column. Also, the addition of stiffened triangular steel plates at the failure region can improve the collapse-resistant capacity reserve of the SF-SPSWs; the design parameters of these triangular steel plates are analysed and discussed.