Multi-Criteria Evaluation of Seismic Design Alternatives for Concrete Structures through the Integration of Life Cycle Analysis and Environmental Sustainability Indicators
Keywords:
seismic design, life cycle assessment, multi-criteria decision-making, concrete structure, environmental sustainabilityAbstract
The objective of this study is to develop an integrated framework for evaluating and selecting sustainable seismic design alternatives in concrete structures. Within this framework, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) are combined with seismic performance evaluation and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) to achieve an optimal balance among safety, environmental sustainability, and economic efficiency. The research is applied and analytical in nature and is conducted based on numerical modeling and quantitative analyses. Three seismic design alternatives—including a code-based design, a performance-based design, and an optimized design—were modeled for a conventional concrete structure. Nonlinear static (pushover) and nonlinear time-history analyses were performed to evaluate seismic indicators, including interstory drift, ductility, dissipated energy, and damage index. Subsequently, environmental indicators were obtained using SimaPro software and the Ecoinvent database, while economic indicators were derived through life cycle cost calculations. Finally, an integrated decision-making process was carried out using the TOPSIS and VIKOR methods with criteria weighting determined by the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The results indicate that the optimized design provides the best balance among seismic performance, cost, and environmental impacts. Compared to the code-based design, this alternative achieved a 12% reduction in structural weight, a 22% decrease in CO₂ emissions, and a 12.6% reduction in life cycle cost. Moreover, sensitivity analysis results confirmed the high robustness of the decision-making model. The integration of life cycle analysis with seismic evaluation and multi-criteria decision-making constitutes an effective tool for achieving sustainable seismic design. This framework can be applied in the development of design guidelines and policies aimed at reducing environmental impacts in the construction industry.
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