Environmental life cycle costs of steel moment frames utilizing endurance time method

Abstract

This study aims to compare the Ordinary Moment Frame (OMF), Intermediate Moment Frame (IMF), and Special Moment Frame (SMF) systems in terms of life cycle cost, taking into account the environmental effects associated with the buildings. Minimizing environmental impacts is essential for achieving sustainable design. The assessment of environmental effects includes both the initial impacts related to building construction and the costs resulting from environmental damage caused by earthquakes over the building's lifespan. These environmental effects are quantified and translated into economic costs. To calculate life cycle cost while considering environmental effects, the proposed framework utilizes the Endurance Time (ET) method as the structural response model. The ET method allows for efficient analysis, facilitating multiple assessments and the exploration of different options. To conduct a case study, the OMF, IMF, and SMF systems are compared in 4, 8, and 12-story structures. Findings reveal that in the 4-story structure, the SMF system incurs higher environmental and life cycle costs, in addition to the initial cost. Conversely, the OMF system results in a lower total cost in the 4-story structure. However, for the 8 and 12-story structures, despite the SMF system's higher initial cost, it exhibits lower life cycle and environmental costs, ultimately leading to a lower overall total cost compared to the other two systems.