Issue 78

D. D. Joshi et alii, Fracture and Structural Integrity, 78 (2026) 315-345; DOI: 10.3221/IGF-ESIS.78-19

Methodology The primary objective of this review is to compile and discuss existing studies related to the strengthening and retrofitting of reinforced concrete (RC) and precast structures and/or structural elements to enhance progressive collapse resistance. A detailed literature survey is conducted using major academic databases and publisher platforms in the field of civil and structural engineering, including Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, ASCE Library, ACI resources, ICE Virtual Library, Wiley Online Library, Taylor & Francis, SpringerLink, IEEE and Google Scholar. These sources are considered to ensure broad and reliable coverage of relevant peer-reviewed research. The literature search is performed using multiple combinations of keywords related to the study area. Key search terms included “progressive collapse”, “disproportionate collapse”, “column removal scenario”, “reinforced concrete structures”, “precast structures”, “precast connections”, “beam-column connections”, “steel wire mesh”, “stainless-steel wire mesh”, “structural strengthening”, “retrofitting” and “mitigation strategies”. Some of the keywords used in this study, categorized according to different aspects, are summarized in Tab. 1. In addition to database searches, the reference lists of relevant publications are examined to identify further appropriate technical papers, enabling a more inclusive and iterative compilation of literature.

Strengthening Techniques

Steel Wire Mesh

Structural Behaviour

Methodology

Structural Elements

Progressive collapse, Disproportionate collapse, Column removal scenario, Progressive collapse resistance, Progressive collapse behaviour, Structural robustness

Experimental, Numerical, Analytical, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Assessment, Evaluation, Investigation, Testing, Studies, Review, State-of the-art

Reinforced concrete (RC) structures, Precast concrete structures, Beam-column joints, RC frames, Beam-column subassemblies, Structural systems, frames

Strengthening, Retrofitting, Mitigation strategies, Structural

Stainless Steel Wire Mesh, SSWM, Steel wire mesh, Wire mesh, Welded steel mesh

enhancement, Rehabilitation, Prevention, Upgradation

Table 1: Keywords used for literature search.

Relevant technical papers, including experimental, analytical and numerical investigations, are considered within this scope. The application or potential use of steel wire mesh systems including stainless-steel wire mesh for structural strengthening is also included within the paper. Studies focusing solely on the progressive collapse performance of RC, steel, precast, or composite structures without incorporating strengthening or retrofitting measures are excluded. Numerous studies on structural strengthening of RC or precast elements are available in the literature; however, those not addressing progressive collapse scenarios are excluded from the scope of this review. Furthermore, studies related to the strengthening of steel structures against progressive collapse are beyond the scope of this paper and are therefore not considered. The literature search primarily considers studies published over the last two and a half decades (from 2000 onwards), capturing significant developments in strengthening and retrofitting techniques for progressive collapse mitigation. No strict upper or lower limit on the publication year is imposed. However, it is observed that a substantial proportion of the reviewed papers (approximately more than 60%) have been published in the last few years, particularly after 2018. A graphical representation of the year-wise distribution of the selected publications is presented in Fig. 1.

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Reinforced Concrete Precast Concrete

7

6

5

4

3

Publications

2

1

0

2006

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

Year

Figure 1: Year-wise distribution of publications

Figure 2: Keyword co-occurrence network

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