A Performance-Based Optimal Design Methodology Incorporating Multiple Criteria

Abstract

A general framework is presented for optimal design based on multiple design criteria which is suitable for performance-based design of structural systems operating in an uncertain dynamic environment. Reliability-based design criteria are used to maintain user-specified levels of structural safety by properly taking into account the uncertainties in the seismic loads that a structure may experience during its lifetime, as well as modeling uncertainties. Code-based requirements are easily incorporated into the optimal design. The methodology is demonstrated with a simple example involving the design of a three-story steel-frame building for which the ground motion uncertainty is characterized by a probabilistic response spectrum developed from a standard seismic hazard analysis.