How can you optimize seismic design while minimizing cost?

Optimizing seismic design while minimizing cost entails a risk assessment to understand hazards, employing performance-based design and advanced analysis methods like nonlinear dynamic analysis. Selecting efficient materials, modular construction, and optimized structural systems are crucial. Additionally, innovative retrofitting techniques and value engineering can reduce expenses without compromising safety. Construction efficiency, continuous monitoring, and maintenance further ensure cost-effectiveness. These strategies collectively balance seismic resilience and economic feasibility, ensuring safe and affordable structures.

Seismic design relies on a multitude of parameters, the majority of which are derived from established building codes. It is imperative for structural engineers to be cognizant of the building's location, as adherence to the appropriate code is essential. The selection of the code itself is a crucial step in seismic design. For instance, when designing a structure in Syria, one cannot employ ASCE7-22, as the seismic code in Syria is anchored in the UBC97 code, continuing to rely on the PGA (Peak Ground Acceleration) concept.

we can optimize the structural design against seismic effects with minimizing the project cost through following consideration are as mentioned below: 1 Select reasonable columns and beam sizes 2 select efficient concrete compressive strength not less than 5000 Psi at 28 days and deformed steel reinforcement having minimum yield strength equal to 60,000 Psi 3 Provide complete detailing and confinement in structural drawings and also emphasize the joints between column and beams accordingly 4 Select proper design code and analysis method as per per location of project 5 we can also compare with Performance based design

Seismic design is the practice of designing structures to withstand earthquakes and other seismic hazards. So it's very vital for structural engineers to be familiar with the building 's location while strictly adherence to the appropriate code is important.

Nowadays, there are several methods, techniques, and software that can be used to offer an optimized seismic design to the client. Despite that optimization can be introduced at any stage of a project, in my experience, I believe that a fully optimized seismic design should start at the beginning of the project, that is, from its conception. Then, different optimization approaches can be introduced during the project development until its construction, and maintenance stage. For instance, a structural engineer could implement specific design measures to minimize the total embodied carbon to reduce the amount of CO2/m2 intrinsically included in a non-optimized design.

While performance based design can help improving the performance and potentially minimizing the construction costs, I believe Displacement Based Design has advantages. 1. DBD serves as an analytical design toolkit that facilitates determination of essential structural elements for preliminary design stages. This enables an optimized design from an early stage. 2. Critical parameters such as system ductility, ultimate displacement capacity and failure modes are inherently part of a DBD design, thereby allowing engineers to determine the seismic performance across different limit states. This direct control over the resilience level will allow to meet specific designer or client objectives with an optimized and cost effective design.

Performance-based design (PBD) is a methodology that aims to optimize structural design by focusing on the desired performance objectives of a structure under specific loading conditions, such as seismic events. By utilizing PBD, engineers can tailor the design to meet specific performance criteria while also minimizing costs. By adopting a performance-based approach to seismic design, engineers can optimize structural performance while minimizing costs through targeted objectives, risk assessment, innovative solutions, performance-based criteria, lifecycle cost analysis, collaborative efforts, and empirical testing and evaluation.

Performance based design (PBD) either DDBD, PBPD or employing low damage design strategies, aim to achieve instead of bounded by not just structural performances but building performances, considering the non-structural elements which makes up most of the cost of a building. PBD optimize design by achieving this, hence, reducing the uncertainty in design which often represented by safety factors in codified-design methods. Avoiding over designing which contributes to over estimated initial construction cost as well as considering the non-structural elements of a building which during a seismic event, if not well considered, contribute significantly to the economic loss per say. PBD set out to reduce this by logical forward design thinking.

To optimize seismic design while minimizing costs, utilizing performance-based design is crucial. This approach tailors designs to specific performance objectives, considering factors like building occupancy and desired performance levels during seismic events. By employing advanced analysis techniques, engineers can identify vulnerabilities and implement targeted interventions to enhance seismic performance while optimizing construction costs. Performance-based design fosters innovation by exploring alternative structural systems and materials for superior seismic resistance at lower costs. Overall, it empowers engineers to achieve cost-effective seismic designs prioritizing safety, efficiency, and resilience.

Performance-based design is an innovative approach that prioritizes functionality and efficiency in the creation of products, systems, or structures. Unlike traditional methods, which may focus solely on meeting minimum requirements, performance-based design aims to optimize performance throughout the entire lifecycle. This methodology involves rigorous analysis, simulations, and testing to ensure that the end result not only meets but exceeds desired outcomes. By considering various scenarios and stressors, performance-based design allows for adaptability and resilience in the face of changing conditions. However, it should be used with caution by practice engineers.

The selection of a structural system is a pivotal responsibility for structural engineers, constituting a key step in project development. Each project possesses its unique characteristics, influencing the specificity of the chosen system. Architectural plans often guide engineers by narrowing down available options. In larger projects, a collaborative effort among a team of engineers is common. Material selection, equally crucial in structural engineering, is heavily influenced by the project's nature. Specifications and requirements guide engineers in selecting materials that align with structural integrity, durability, and cost-effectiveness. The project type, whether residential or commercial, dictates the materials deemed appropriate.

Many times, seismic load are not mandatory in the final design so high level of ductility it is not always neccesary and basic rules are enough.

In seismic design, cost-effective modelling and analytical methods can maximise the performance of structures while reducing expenses. Engineers are able to precisely modify designs by precisely predicting the behaviour of structures under seismic loads by using sophisticated finite element analysis software. Without appreciable cost increases, using cutting-edge materials like steel alloys and high-performance concrete improves earthquake protection even more. Through cost-effective modelling and analysis, engineers can refine designs iteratively until they reach the best seismic performance.

Quality control in the design phase is often not taken into account and can mean a lot of savings in execution time and material.

No cost control when you consider seismic design. 1- you can choose some unusual footing structures or even use some earth replacement to absorbs seismic loads .