Optimum seismic design of reinforced concrete frames according to Eurocode 8 and fib Model Code 2010

Traditional seismic design, like the one adopted in Eurocode 8 (EC8), is force‐based and examining a single level of seismic action. In order to provide improved control of structural damage for different levels of seismic action, the new fib Model Code 2010 (MC2010) includes a fully fledged displacement‐based and performance‐based seismic design methodology. However, the level of complexity and computational effort of the MC2010 methodology is significantly increased. Hence, the use of automated optimization techniques for obtaining cost‐effective design solutions becomes appealing if not necessary. This study employs genetic algorithms to derive and compare optimum seismic design solutions of reinforced concrete frames according to EC8 and MC2010. This is important because MC2010 is meant to serve as a basis for future seismic design codes. It is found that MC2010 drives to more cost‐effective solutions than EC8 for regions of low seismicity and better or similar costs for regions of moderate seismicity. For high‐seismicity regions, MC2010 may yield similar or increased structural costs. This depends strongly on the provisions adopted for selecting the set of ground motions. In all cases, MC2010 provides enhanced control of structural damage. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.