An integrated system for simplified seismic performance evaluation and life-cycle cost analysis

Abstract

In this research, an integrated system is developed which can thoroughly and conveniently evaluate the seismic performance, fragility, and seismic life-cycle costs of structures using conventional procedures. To this end, a toolbox with a core algorithm based on the well-known nonlinear static N2 method is established in MATLAB® and is modified using the fundamental period to further simplify the procedure. In addition to seismic performance for a specific hazard level, it calculates the demand under different seismic intensities to imitate the incremental dynamic analysis and derive the seismic fragility for specified limit states. By using these results and the formulation provided in this study, the seismic life-cycle costs are also approximated and all the results are visualized and post-processed properly. The developed system is validated using a case study structure and the results are compared with the conventional rigorous analysis methods in terms of accuracy and computational demand. The results show that the provided system can approximate the analysis results with a reasonable agreement and an acceptable trade-off for highly intensive computation.