M. Danesh
A. Iraji
S. Jaafari

The main object in optimizing reinforced concrete frames based on the performance is decreasing the initial cost or life cycle cost or total cost. The optimization performed here is with the requirement of satisfying story drifts and rotation of plastic hinges. However, this optimization may decrease seismic strength of the structure. Newton Meta-Heuristic Algorithm (NMA) was used to optimize three-, six-, and twelve-story reinforced concrete frames based on the performance and utilizing the cost objective function. The seismic parameters of the optimized frames were calculated. The results showed that the inter-story drifts at the performance level of LS controls the design. According to the results, the objective function for construction cost is not useful for the optimization of the reinforced concrete frames. Because the amounts of the over strength, the absorbed plastic energy, and the ductility factor for the optimized frames are low using the objective function for the construction cost.

optimization, reinforced concrete frame, performance based design, newton meta-heuristic algorithm, objective function of construction cost.