Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea 한국전산구조공학회 논문집 ISSN:1229-3059(Print) 2287-2302(Online)

This study presents an optimal seismic design method based on genetic algorithms to induce beam-hinge collapse mechanisms in reinforced concrete moment frames. Two objective functions are used. The first minimizes the cost of the structure and the second maximizes the energy dissipation capacity of the structure. Constraints include strength conditions of columns and beams, minimum conditions for column-to-beam flexural strength ratio, and conditions for preventing plastic hinge occurrence of columns. Linear static analysis is performed to evaluate the strength of members, whereas nonlinear static analysis is carried out to evaluate energy dissipation capacity and occurrence of plastic hinges. The proposed method was applied to a four-story example structure, and it was confirmed that solutions for inducing a beam-hinge collapse mechanism are obtained. The value of the column-beam flexural strength ratio of the obtained design was found to be larger than the value suggested by existing seismic codes. A more robust strategy is needed to induce a beam-hinge collapse mode.