Modelling progressive collapse of timber buildings

An efficient and accurate numerical model is indispensable for assessing structural robustness and progressive collapses. This paper presents a parametric numerical framework for the modelling of progressive collapses of inelastic timber buildings subjected to the loss of arbitrary members using dynamic analysis with large deformations and an incremental damping scheme. The model can simulate true separation and removal of elements, as well as debris tracking and impact loading derived from classical mechanics. The framework is demonstrated on a moment-resisting timber frame building with linear-elastic members and inelastic beam–column connections with hysteresis subjected to ground-floor column-loss scenarios. It can be used for large-scale analyses to assess the structural robustness of a wide range of building types, materials, and damage scenarios.