Does the design according to the seismic zone affect the environment and the manufacturing cost of a 5-storey R/C building with a conventional plan?

Abstract

The main scope of the present research is the analysis, dimensioning and estimation of the cost of a five-storey reinforced concrete building, which is similarly constructed in three different seismic hazard zones (ZI, ZII, ZIII). The ground plan of the building is a conventional floor plan with solid reinforced concrete slabs. The cross-sections of the structural members remain stable, except for the columns whose cross-sections are reduced in height. The aim of the present study is to analyze how the cost of manufacturing the load-bearing structure of a reinforced concrete building is affected by the seismic risk of the area, if that influence is significant and in what extent. Moreover, along with the construction cost, the possible influence to the environment is studied, too.