Computational Assessment of Earthquake Resistance of Natural Pozzolan-based Engineered Cementitious Composite Structures

The increasing frequency and intensity of earthquakes worldwide pose significant challenges to the structural integrity and safety of infrastructure systems. Engineered cementitious composites (ECC), known for their superior tensile ductility, strength and cracking control, provide a promising solution for enhancing earthquake resistance of structures. This study presents a computational assessment of natural pozzolan (NP)-reinforced ECC structures subjected to seismic impact through finite element analysis. The analysis investigates the dynamic performance of NP-ECC structures in terms of stress distribution and structural deformation. A three-story NP-ECC frame structure under a 6.5 magnitude earthquake on Richter scale is studied and compared with a reinforced concrete structure. The results show that the ECC structure exhibits significantly better earthquake resistance, with an average stress reduction of 64.11% and displacement reduction of 65.02%. The findings show the potential of ECC in improving structural resilience and provide insights into structural design for earthquake-prone regions.