Performance-based optimization of RC structures subject to seismic actions

Abstract

This research proposal intends to find an optimal design of structures subjected to seismic actions, through the methodology of Probabilistic-Based Earthquake Engineering (PBEE) and Risk Optimization (RO). Brazil, based on its geographic location inside a tectonic plate, had for many years its structures built with no consideration regarding seismic events. Brazilian standard for seismic actions, ABNT NBR 15421 (2006), is recent and has significant differences when compared to international standards on this field. If events like these happens in urban regions with high population density, catastrophic structural damages can occur, since most part of the buildings does not follow any standard preconisation regarding seismic actions. Based on this, structural reliability will be applied to give precise measures of structural performance, from probability of occurrence of extreme actions, as well as all possible states of the structure after the event. To do it, the methodology of design based on performance (PBEE), that has widely used and has been included in international standards, will be used. The risk optimization formulation allows to verify different failure consequences, since local damage to structural collapse, and integrates naturally to PBEE because of the metrics that guides the decision making, which is the sum of the economic losses expected. (AU)