This paper highlights the importance of accounting for three dimensional effects when modeling progressive collapse behavior. Two types of nonlinear, inelastic models are first presented: 1) a planar comprised of beam-column elements to represent key structural members, and 2) a 3-D model that accounts for the most important components of the building. After validation, the simulation models are exercised to investigate system robustness when columns are forcibly removed. The importance of 3-D effects is quantitatively investigated through comparisons of system responses captured by the planar and 3-D models. In addition, the effect of modeling the slabs is demonstrated by comparing the responses of a 3-D model without slabs and the same 3-D model, but with slabs. It is shown that the slab plays a crucial role in progressive collapse response.
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