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Novel Approaches for Optimal Design and Seismic Performance Assessment for Civil Structures

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Civil Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 October 2025 | Viewed by 2825

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Dimitris Sophianopoulos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece
Interests: structural stability; dynamics and steel structures; civil engineering
Dr. Charalampakis Aristotelis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
Interests: dynamic analysis and seismic design of structures; hysteretic simulations (response, energy, system identification); optimization, as well as machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) in engineering applications

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The advent, development, and application of novel “smart” materials in Civil Engineering structures (for instance, SMA bars and devices) have led to a new perspective on the optimum design and performance evaluation of such structures under seismic actions. Moving towards this goal, new techniques have recently been introduced, such as advanced computational modeling, artificial intelligence, neural networks, and fuzzy logic tools.

Since earthquakes are mostly unpredictable, contributions on the best performance of Civil Structures (buildings, bridges, offshore and coastal installations, wind turbines, etc.) against seismic actions using novel approaches are welcome in this Special Issue. Moreover, scientific disciplines in close relation include soil–structure interaction, stability, and dynamics. Finally, the broad spectrum of earthquake engineering by no means prohibits any other contributions to the field.

Prof. Dr. Dimitris Sophianopoulos
Dr. Charalampakis Aristotelis
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • “smart” materials
  • artificial intelligence
  • optimization
  • modeling techniques
  • earthquake engineering and structural dynamics
  • buildings
  • bridges
  • soil-structure interaction
  • stability
  • fuzzy logic
  • computer-aided design

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 4247 KiB  
Article
Energy-Based Optimization of Seismic Isolation Parameters in RC Buildings Under Earthquake Action Using GWO
by Ali Erdem Çerçevik and Nihan Kazak Çerçevik
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(5), 2870; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15052870 - 6 Mar 2025
Viewed by 782
Abstract
Modeling seismic isolators, one of the most effective installations in the design of earthquake-resistant buildings, is a very important challenge. In this study, we propose a new energy-based approach for the optimization of seismic isolation parameters. The hysteretic energy represents the dissipation of [...] Read more.
Modeling seismic isolators, one of the most effective installations in the design of earthquake-resistant buildings, is a very important challenge. In this study, we propose a new energy-based approach for the optimization of seismic isolation parameters. The hysteretic energy represents the dissipation of isolated structures in the isolation system. The minimization of input energy ensures that structural components are exposed to reduced seismic energy. For these reasons, this study aims to minimize the input energy and maximize the hysteretic energy. Additionally, an objective function is also generated with the energy ratio obtained from the input and hysteretic energy. The gray wolf optimizer (GWO) was applied to the optimization process. A four-story, 3D, and reinforced concrete superstructure was prepared and lead rubber bearings were placed under the base story. The isolation system is modeled nonlinearly, which requires two parameters: isolation period and characteristic strength. The inter-story drift ratio was selected as the structure constraint, while the isolator displacement and effective damping ratio were selected as the isolator constraints in the optimization process. The prepared base-isolated structure was optimized using 11 scaled ground motions. Nonlinear time history analyses were run in ETABS finite element software. Firstly, the optimum isolation parameters were obtained using peak roof story acceleration (PRA), in accordance with the methodology in previous studies. The outcomes generated by the PRA and energy components are compared considering the isolation parameters and structural responses. The energy ratio produced better results in terms of inter-story drift ratio than the other energy components. Secondly, the energy ratio was re-optimized with different constraints and its effectiveness was examined. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Approaches for Optimal Design and Seismic Performance Assessment for Civil Structures)
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54 pages, 31042 KiB  
Article
Development of a New Rubber Buckling-Restrained Brace System for Structures
by Nima Ostovar and Farzad Hejazi
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(1), 276; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15010276 - 30 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1371
Abstract
Buckling-Restrained Braces (BRBs) are widely utilized in structures as an anti-seismic system to enhance performance against lateral excitations. While BRBs are designed to yield symmetrically under both tension and compression without significant buckling, their effectiveness is often limited to moderate seismic events. During [...] Read more.
Buckling-Restrained Braces (BRBs) are widely utilized in structures as an anti-seismic system to enhance performance against lateral excitations. While BRBs are designed to yield symmetrically under both tension and compression without significant buckling, their effectiveness is often limited to moderate seismic events. During high-intensity earthquakes, repetitive yielding can lead to core failure, resulting in the loss of BRB functionality and potentially causing structural collapse. This study proposes an innovative design for BRBs to improve energy dissipation capacity under severe seismic activity. The new design incorporates Ultra-High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) filler and hyper-elastic rubber components as primary load-bearing elements. Through extensive testing and simulation, the proposed Rubber Buckling-Restrained Brace (RBRB) was developed and manufactured by integrating hyper-elastic rubber between the concrete and core to enhance the device’s strength. Additionally, a prototype of the conventional BRB device was fabricated to serve as a benchmark for evaluating the performance of the RBRB. Experimental testing of both the conventional BRB and the proposed RBRB prototypes was conducted using a heavy-duty dynamic actuator to assess the RBRB’s performance under applied loads. Based on the experimental results, an analytical model of the proposed RBRB was formulated for use in finite element modeling and analysis. Furthermore, a specialized seismic design procedure for structures equipped with the RBRB was developed, according to the performance-based design method. This procedure was applied to the design of a seven-story steel structure, and the impact of the RBRB on the seismic response of the structure was investigated through finite element simulations. The analysis results demonstrated that the RBRB significantly improves the loading capacity and energy dissipation capabilities of structures, thereby enhancing their overall performance against earthquake excitations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Approaches for Optimal Design and Seismic Performance Assessment for Civil Structures)
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