Abstract: The invention discloses a mitigating method comprising a reinforcement scheme for upgrading progressive collapse resistance of a floor system prone to column failure, the method comprising adding a plurality of diagonal steel bars in the vicinity of a potentially failed column, thereby developing a post-tensioning axial compressive force in the floor beams of the floor system. Steel bars or links left over from construction sites as well as used steel bars and structural steel sections from demolition sites are used/reused as the plurality of diagonal steel bars to mitigate progressive collapse of framed structures under potential column failure. Depending on a number and configuration of the added diagonal steel bars, the percentage increases in the beam axial compressive force, catenary action capacity, total dissipated energy, and maximum vertical displacement by the mitigated floor system ranged between 104.5% and 161.3%, 105.1% and 180.5%, 115% and 241.8%, and 106% and 167.4%, respectively.

Abstract: The invention discloses a mitigating method comprising a reinforcement scheme for upgrading progressive collapse resistance of a floor system prone to column failure, the method comprising adding a plurality of diagonal steel bars in the vicinity of a potentially failed column, thereby developing a post-tensioning axial compressive force in the floor beams of the floor system. Steel bars or links left over from construction sites as well as used steel bars and structural steel sections from demolition sites are used/reused as the plurality of diagonal steel bars to mitigate progressive collapse of framed structures under potential column failure. Depending on a number and configuration of the added diagonal steel bars, the percentage increases in the beam axial compressive force, catenary action capacity, total dissipated energy, and maximum vertical displacement by the mitigated floor system ranged between 104.5% and 161.3%, 105.1% and 180.5%, 115% and 241.8%, and 106% and 167.4%, respectively.