Seismic Performance and Sustainability of Reinforced Concrete Buildings: A Comprehensive Assessment

Recent earthquakes such as the 2023 Türkiye-Syria, Morocco, and Afghanistan, 2015 Gorkha Nepal, and 2009 Indonesia earthquakes have demonstrated the vulnerability of existing building stock. Throughout Europe, many existing buildings were constructed considering low or moderate standards or without considering them. This study investigates the seismic performance of reinforced concrete (RC) buildings, exemplified as a six-story RC dormitory building, focusing on various support and foundation conditions, soil characteristics, and site seismicity scenarios representing the seismicity of Europe. The research aims to assess the potential effects of exceeding anticipated site seismic intensities, potentially leading to safer communities and infrastructure in the face of impending earthquakes. Robot Structural Analysis Professional software is used for structural analysis and design throughout soil-structure interactions and site seismicity considerations. Moreover, this study investigates the environmental implications of RC buildings, which represent the future building inventory in Europe. It examines the varying material usage required to design structures compliant with Eurocode standards through a life cycle analysis. The methodology employed in this investigation aligns with the core principles of practical design encompassing economic and environmental sustainability. The study's key findings indicate that increasing member size can enhance performance at lower intensities, but this may not be a sufficient strategy at higher intensities, where shear walls may be necessary in high seismic zones. Sustainable design necessitates a balance between material use, performance, and environmental impact.