In the conventional seismic design methods, height wise distribution of equivalent seismic loads seems to be related implicitly on the elastic vibration modes. Therefore, the employment of such a load pattern does not guarantee the optimum use of materials in the nonlinear range of behavior. Here a method based on the concept of uniform distribution of deformation is implemented in optimization of the dynamic response of structures subjected to seismic excitation. In this approach, the structural properties are modified so that inefficient material is gradually shifted from strong to weak areas of a structure. It is shown that the seismic performance of such a structure is better than those designed conventionally. By conducting this algorithm on shear-building models with various dynamic characteristics, the effects of fundamental period, target ductility demand, number of stories, damping ratio, post-yield behavior and seismic excitations on optimum distribution pattern are investigated. Based on the results, a more adequate load pattern is proposed for seismic design of building structures that is a function of fundamental period of the structure and the target ductility demand.

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This paper examines the effects of strength distribution pattern on seismic response of tall buildings. It is shown that in general for an MDOF structure there exists a specific pattern for height-wise distribution of strength and stiffness that results in a better seismic performance in comparison with all other feasible patterns. This paper presents a new optimization technique for optimum seismic design of structures. In this approach, the structural properties are modified so that inefficient material is gradually shifted from strong to weak areas of a structure. This process is continued until a state of uniform deformation is achieved. It is shown that the seismic performance of such a structure is optimal, and behaves generally better than those designed by conventional methods. The optimization algorithm is then conducted on shear building models with various dynamic characteristics subjected to a group of severe earthquakes. Based on the results, a new load pattern is proposed for seismic design of tall buildings that is a function of fundamental period of the structure and the target ductility demand. The optimization method presented in this paper could be useful in the conceptual design phase and in improving basic understanding of seismic behavior of tall buildings.

The preliminary design of most buildings is based on equivalent static forces specified by the governing building code. The height wise distribution of these static forces seems to be based implicitly on the elastic vibration modes. Therefore, the employment of such a load pattern in seismic design of normal structures does not guarantee the optimum use of materials. This paper presents a new method for optimization of dynamic response of structures subjected to seismic excitation. This method is based on the concept of uniform distribution of deformation. In order to obtain the optimum distribution of structural properties, an iterative optimization procedure has been adopted. In this approach, the structural properties are modified so that inefficient material is gradually shifted from strong to weak areas of a structure. This process is continued until a state of uniform deformation is achieved. It is shown that the seismic performance of such a structure is optimal, and behaves generally better than those designed by conventional methods. By conducting this algorithm on shear-building models with various dynamic characteristics subjected to 20 earthquake ground motions, more adequate load patterns are introduced with respect to the period of the structure and the target ductility demand.

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