Economic Considerations of Displacement-Based Seismic Design of Structural Concrete Buildings

The economic implications of using displacement-based seismic design for structural concrete building structures are presented for moderate and high seismic risk zones. Buildings from four to twenty stories tall, with the same plan layout and a series of combinations of column and girder cross sections, were designed by practicing structural engineers with a degree of detail necessary to determine their cost. The capacity of these buildings to meet different story drift requirements was investigated employing economic considerations. The use of structural walls was also evaluated for the eight story building for both seismic risk zones. Cost implications of structural walls were compared with those of frames. The results of the study are discussed from the designer's and owner's points of view.