Safe City

Safe City

Evaluation of control methods for earthquake-resistant structures with a dual-purpose approach and using AHP method

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Shahin Lale Arefi 1
Hossein Hatami Nejad 2
Alireza Ghafouri Zarandi 3
1 Department of civil engineering, Esfarayen University of Technology, North khorasan, Iran
2 Department of Human Geography and planning, Faculty of Geography, University of Tehran, Tehran.Iran
3 Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Caspian International Campus, University of Tehran, Rezvanshahr, Gilan, Iran.
10.22034/ispdrc.2025.2041500.1133
Abstract
Extended Abstract:  

Introduction
Vibration control is an advanced method for improving structures and designing buildings resistant to dynamic loads that improves the response of the structure without reinforcing individual elements. This method, with appropriate equipment, reduces displacement and enhances dynamic response. Given the need for simple and economical methods in the country, the development of these systems is essential. Iran is faced with 31 types of natural disasters, especially earthquakes, which require the study of critical conditions. The main challenge of earthquake engineering is the identification and control of structural damage. Structural health monitoring (SHM) systems, control and adaptability, and artificial intelligence reduce failures, costs, and losses. This paper introduces a new system that uses SHM and vibration control to increase seismic resistance and facilitate emergency evacuation. This system can be installed in existing structures at a reasonable cost. Control methods were examined and the best method was selected using AHP.
 Methodology
In this study, earthquake-resistant structural control methods were identified using library resources. Then, through interviews with experts in the fields of structures, earthquakes, and construction management, evaluation indicators for these methods were extracted. A questionnaire was provided to 14 experts to weight the indicators and score the methods. Using the group decision-making method and paired comparison on a nine-point Likert scale, the priority and final weight of the methods were determined. A decision hierarchy tree was formed at three levels and four structural control methods were compared in the Expert Choice software to select the optimal option. To examine the validity of the questionnaires, Cronbach's alpha was calculated, which was acceptable at 77.67 percent. Pairwise comparison matrices with a consistency of less than 0.1 were used, and incompatible matrices were eliminated. Finally, the optimal structural control method was determined.
 Results and discussion
In this study, earthquake-resistant structural control methods were investigated with a dual-purpose approach (seismic resistance and facilitating emergency evacuation). First, by studying library resources, structural control methods were identified. Then, through interviews with experts in the fields of structure, earthquake, and construction management, key evaluation indicators were extracted, including the level of earthquake and wind resistance, implementation cost, feasibility in existing buildings, implementation complexity, and implementation speed. A questionnaire was designed to weight these indicators and score structural control methods (active cable control, mass dampers, non-mass dampers, and seismic isolators) and was provided to 14 experts. Using the group decision-making method and paired comparison on a nine-point Likert scale, the final weight of the indicators was calculated in the Expert Choice software. The results showed that the earthquake and wind resistance index with a weight of 0.389 was the most important, followed by implementation cost (0.249), feasibility (0.159), implementation complexity (0.102), and implementation speed (0.054). Pairwise comparison matrices were formed for each method in each index. In the earthquake and wind resistance index, the active cable control method with a weight of 0.272 (earthquake) and 0.483 (wind) had the best performance. This method was also superior in the implementation cost (0.477), feasibility (0.627), implementation complexity (0.537), and implementation speed (0.506) indices. The non-mass dampers, seismic isolators, and mass dampers methods were ranked next, respectively. To ensure the validity of the questionnaires, Cronbach's alpha was calculated and confirmed with a value of 77.67% (above the acceptable limit of 75%). Also, the compatibility of the pairwise comparison matrices was examined and matrices with an inconsistency rate of more than 0.1 were eliminated. Finally, by multiplying the weights of the indicators by the scores of the methods, the final ranking was extracted, in which the active cable control method with an importance coefficient of 0.380 was recognized as the most optimal method, while mass dampers (0.148), non-mass dampers (0.245) and seismic isolators (0.227) were ranked next. These results indicate the superiority of the active cable control method in improving structural resistance and facilitating emergency evacuation.
Conclusion
Safety, time, and economy are key factors in the quality of Iran’s construction industry, especially given the country’s location in a seismically active region. The seismic safety of buildings is of particular importance due to the possibility of destructive earthquakes. Crisis management, including prediction, early warning, and response, plays an important role in reducing casualties and increasing safety. Smart building technology, especially active vibration control, is widely used in this regard. Vibration control methods include mass dampers, viscous dampers, liquid tanks, pendulums, and seismic isolators. These methods are mainly designed to reduce the effects of earthquakes, but wind force is also important in tall buildings. The use of pendulums or liquid tanks, although reducing vibrations, increases the weight of the structure and increases the force of the earthquake. Improper design of these systems may exacerbate vibrations. The active cable control method was identified as the best method because it reduces vibrations, limits structural deformation, and maintains emergency escape routes. The non-mass dampers, seismic isolators, and mass dampers methods were ranked next.
Authors’ Contribution
Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none.
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
Keywords
Control of structure
Emergency exit
Building
Earthquake loads
AHP method
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