Structural Robustness Evaluation

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Abstract
This paper proposes a quantitative measure and mathematically reproducible definition of structural robustness as it pertains to a structure's ability to minimize the potential for structural progressive collapse. Structural robustness is defined by the structure's ability to withstand any unforeseen loading as well as initiating damage scenarios without a disproportionate response. Presented here is a study that finds that in the absence of the specific progressive collapse load scenarios and unknown location and extent of initiating damage, progressive collapse potential can be minimized by employing the concept of structural robustness as well as safety and reliability, which are all interdependent qualities of a structural system. This study also concludes that structural robustness represents a structure's ability to absorb small structural failures (perturbations) without affecting the overall structural integrity, and can be measured as a standard deviation of the progressive collapse dynamic resistance probability density function.

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