A Novel Multi-Objective Structural System Against Earthquake and Uncommon Environmental Loads

Abstract

One of the main concerns in an essential or highly important building is finding the appropriate structural system, while the efficiency of each conventional structural system varies in different cases. In this paper, a new multi-objective structural configuration is proposed and its efficiency for protecting buildings against the multi-hazards, including earthquake, explosion, and typhoon, is shown in a case study of a 10-story building sample. To create the optimum and efficient configuration of the structural elements, and to make some large spans, a configuration including Vierendeel girders is used. In this type of configuration, the inner suspended floor parts protect the outer elements by balancing perimeter span loads. This system makes a new condition for the building to be protected against the progressive collapse due to the terrorist attacks. Furthermore, the partially suspended floors in special stories act like tuned mass dampers (TMDs), which are suitable to decrease the amplitude of the displacement response of the structure during an earthquake.