Collapse of Large Span Buildings

Within the construction and technical expertise that was carried out during the past decade at the StaDiO R&D CJSC we performed the analysis of the possible causes of local destruction and the “progressive” collapse of roof constructions in a number of large span buildings. We can name the Transvaal Park sports and fitness complex, the Basmanny market, the Krylatskoye indoor skating center and a production shop among them.

1. We considered important aspects of computer simulation of how “earth foundation – frame – roof construction” systems and their critical parts behaved in various patterns and by means of different software tools (ST):

– we worked out hypotheses and scenarios (mechanisms) of destruction;

– we set targets of computer simulation of how structures behaved under design, actual and “scenario” loads and actions;

– we chose software tools that suited best the computer simulation targets set (ANSYS Mechanical, ANSYS / CFX, ANSYS / CivilFEM, MSC NASTRAN, ABAQUS, LS-DYNA, stage, LIRA, SCAD, MicroFE, Robot Millennium, etc.);

– we studied and/ or simulated loads and actions as well as designed realistic “load experience”;

– we constructed, verified and studied relevant mathematical simulation models of spatial roof constructions under design, actual and “scenario” loads and actions that corresponded
to the significant stages of construction, operation and destruction;

– we carried out computer simulation of a three-dimensional “nonlinear earth foundation – frame – roof construction” system under design, actual and “scenario” loads and actions;

– we performed strain-stress state and strength analysis for models with the most constrained and/ or “nontraditionally” constructed parts in three-dimensional non-linear structures in terms of their physical and geometrical aspects. We analyzed the possibility of their collapse and how it could affect the functioning of the building in general;

– we corrected and calibrated mathematical simulations according to the “targeted” initiated field and laboratory studies;

– we prepared expert reports that accumulated the results of our research and provided reasonable answers to the questions set.

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TEXT : ALEXANDER BELOSTOTSKY, Director General of Stadyo R&D, the Head of REC CM MGSU,
Associate member of RAASN, D.Sc. in engineering, Professor