Energy-Based Monitoring Technique for Progressive Collapse Prevention in Complex Structures

Abstract:

This research addresses key challenges in progressive collapse prevention by introducing an advanced method to enhance the complex structural systems monitoring. The study focuses on variation of deformation work patterns with the aim to identify the most critical load paths while a random element within the structure undergoes damage. A comprehensive mathematical model has been developed to analyze changes in load paths due to damage in structural elements. The method utilizes an energy-based metric introduced by De Biagi and Chiaia, allowing for a detailed assessment of damage progression. The damage is simulated through the alteration of the stiffness of structural elements by applying progressive cross section reduction. The predictions of the model were validated through its application to simple systems composed of rods, where changes in load paths were observed as damage advanced in random elements. For more complex structural systems, the method was applied using numerical simulations, providing a detailed evaluation of its performance in more load cases scenarios. The proposed metric effectively captures the effects of localized damage and its propagation through the system, offering valuable insights for the monitoring and prevention of progressive collapse. The method yields two significant outcomes: first, mapping the variation of deformation work with respect to the damage allows for the visualization of the variation in the load path during the damage of a random element within the structure, thus, identifying which elements are loaded and which are unloaded; second, the study of evolution of the variation of deformation work with respect to the damage for different stiffnesses allows identifying the value of critical stiffnesses that determine whether the element remains part of the main load-bearing path. In this work, the method is applied to 2D and 3D truss systems, which are representative of critical infrastructure like bridges and towers, as well as to ad hoc designed structural schemes created to highlight specific aspects and demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. The aim of the method is not only to ensure the safety of vital infrastructure by improving resilience against catastrophic events, but also to offer practical insights by identifying the most critical areas for sensor placement, enabling optimal monitoring and early detection of failure points.

• Periodical: Advances in Science and Technology (Volume 171)
• Pages: 195-202
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-SEh2X0
• Online since: December 2025
• Authors: Lorenza Abbracciavento*, Valerio De Biagi
• Keywords: Energy Metrics, Progressive Collapse, Robustness, Structural Complexity

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