Seismic performance of automatically generated ductile moment resisting frames

Abstract. In line with the modernization trend within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector, which lags behind the advancements of the 4th industrial revolution, there is a growing focus on automating structural design at an early stage, particularly emphasizing interdisciplinary interfaces. This paper aims to refine and enhance the performance of a recently proposed method to aid in the automation and optimization of the structural design of reinforced concrete moment-resisting frames (MRFs). The proposed method involves generating an optimized layout for a given architectural configuration in the IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) format using the Hill-Climbing algorithm (HCA). Initially, the method determines potential geometric positions for columns at each level that fit the architectural configuration and ensures a continuous force path from the top floor to the foundation. This stage produces an infinite number of possible column positions. Subsequently, the HCA search algorithm is employed to identify the optimal axes positions, resulting in a finite number of column positions that define two orthogonal grids of MRFs. The performance of the derived MRFs is then assessed using push-over analysis. The results demonstrate superior performance in terms of capacity curves and performance points, indicating the method's efficacy in enhancing structural design automation and optimization.