Reliability-based optimum design of multiple tuned mass dampers for minimization of the probability of failure of buildings under earthquakes

Abstract

This work proposes a methodology for reliability-based optimum design of multiple tuned mass dampers (MTMD) for installation in buildings situated in seismic regions. Unlike works that disregard uncertainties and perform deterministic optimizations, the approach proposed in this work aims to minimize the probability of failure of buildings under earthquakes taking the uncertainties into account. For this purpose, a modern optimization technique, the Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA), is employed. Actual records of seismic accelerograms that occurred in the site of interest are used to characterize the seismic risk, determining the expected value of the peak ground acceleration (PGA) annual exceedance rate. Thus, the seismic risk is estimated by fitting probability distribution functions of the PGA for periods of one and fifty years, to assess, via numerical simulation, the building’s reliability. The proposed methodology is illustrated considering two buildings located in the city of Cúcuta, Colombia, where earthquake data are available. Robust estimators of the system reliability are calculated using a database of seismic records with notably different features. The results confirm that the proposed methodology for optimization of MTMD considerably increases the reliability of both buildings, highlighting the effectiveness of MTMD in minimizing the probability of failure of buildings situated in regions with significant seismic activity.