Full-Scale Test of a Steel–Concrete Composite Floor System with Moment-Resisting Connections under a Middle-Edge Column Removal Scenario

Abstract

To investigate the load-resisting mechanisms and responses of typical steel–concrete composite frames under the progressive collapse scenario, a 2×1 bay full-scale steel–concrete composite floor system was quasi-statically tested till failure under a middle-edge column removal scenario. The test specimen was extracted from a prototype building, which was designed according to modern design codes. Based on the measured load-deflection response, load-carrying mechanisms, deformation patterns, and failure modes were discussed in detail. The maximum capacity was achieved at a chord rotation angle of 0.163 rad, where the steel girder and the composite slab contributed 19.2% and 80.8% of the total resistance, respectively. The peak resistant load, as a result of the combined catenary and tensile membrane action, is 15.9% higher than that of the flexural action alone. The load-carrying capacity of the test specimen is 5.5 times larger than the ASCE load combination for extraordinary events. The continuous steel deck and moment-resisting beam–column connections have a significant influence on the load-carrying capacity and the deformation capacity of the composite floor system.