Seismic Performance of Reinforced Concrete Buildings with Optimized Energy Dissipation Systems in High-Risk Earthquake Regions

Aulia Rahma Putri; Fajar Ramadhan Saputra; Dimas Arya Mahendra; Nabila Zahra Kusuma

Authors

Aulia Rahma Putri Universitas Indonesia Author
Fajar Ramadhan Saputra Universitas Indonesia Author
Dimas Arya Mahendra Universitas Indonesia Author
Nabila Zahra Kusuma Universitas Indonesia Author

Keywords:

reinforced concrete buildings, seismic performance, fluid viscous dampers, energy dissipation, seismic optimization

Abstract

Purpose – This study evaluates the seismic performance of reinforced concrete buildings equipped with optimized energy dissipation systems in high-risk earthquake regions and determines whether strategic fluid viscous damper placement provides an efficient balance between deformation control, force reduction, energy dissipation, device quantity, and implementation cost.

Methodology – A quantitative numerical benchmark analysis was conducted using processed nonlinear time-history analysis data from a 25-story reinforced concrete building. Four configurations were evaluated: a bare frame, Strategic Location Format (SLF), Arbitrary Location Format (ALF), and Uniformly Distributed Format (UDF).

Findings – The SLF reduced roof displacement by 45.1%, inter-story drift by 55.6%, and base shear by 54.5%, while dissipating approximately 66% of seismic input energy using 36 dampers. The UDF achieved the largest deformation reductions but required 192 dampers and substantially higher relative cost.

Implications – Strategic placement can improve seismic resilience while limiting device quantity and implementation cost, supporting multi-criteria optimization in performance-based seismic design and retrofit.

Originality – The study integrates deformation, force, energy, device quantity, and economic efficiency within one assessment of optimized dampingconfigurations.

References

Akhlagh Pasand, A., & Zahrai, S. M. (2024). Seismic control of tall buildings using vertically distributed multiple tuned mass dampers. The Structural Design of Tall and Special Buildings, 33(14), e2123. https://doi.org/10.1002/tal.2123

Altunışık, A. C., Arslan, M. E., Kahya, V., Aslan, B., Sezdirmez, T., Dok, G., Kirtel, O., Öztürk, H., Sunca, F., Baltacı, A., Emiroğlu, M., Günaydın, M., Adanur, S., Atmaca, B., Akgül, T., Demir, A., Tatar, T., Aykanat, B., Hacıefendioğlu, K., ... Nas, M. (2023). Field observations and damage evaluation in reinforced concrete buildings after the February 6th, 2023, Kahramanmaras-Turkiye earthquakes. Journal of Earthquake and Tsunami. https://doi.org/10.1142/S1793431123500240

Belbachir, A., Belbachir, N., Bahar, S., Benbakhti, A., Louhibi, Z. S. M., & Amziane, S. (2024). Unlocking resilience: Examining the influence of fluid viscous dampers on seismic performance of reinforced-concrete structures in earthquake-prone regions. Periodica Polytechnica Civil Engineering, 68(4), 1393–1404. https://doi.org/10.3311/PPci.37748

Cucuzza, R., Domaneschi, M., Greco, R., & Marano, G. C. (2023). Numerical models comparison for fluid-viscous dampers: Performance investigations through genetic algorithm. Computers & Structures, 288, 107122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruc.2023.107122

Fujii, K., & Shioda, M. (2023). Energy-based prediction of the peak and cumulative response of a reinforced concrete building with steel damper columns. Buildings, 13(2), 401. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13020401

Gao, F., Liu, H., & Qu, Z. (2024). The cumulative plastic deformation demand for buckling restrained braces imposed by the strong motions in the 2023 Turkey earthquake sequence. Earthquake Research Advances, 4(2), 100313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eqrea.2024.100313

Hu, R., Hu, S., Yang, M., & Meng, D. (2023). Experimental study on the coordinated behavior of the combined viscous-steel damping system for multi-level seismic mitigation. Structures, 57, 105344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2023.105344

Ijmulwar, S. S., & Patro, S. K. (2024). Seismic design of reinforced concrete buildings equipped with viscous dampers using simplified performance-based approach. Structures, 61, 106020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2024.106020

Imran, I., Siringoringo, D. M., & Rainayana, S. S. (2024). Seismic evaluation and retrofit of a typical reinforced concrete hospital building in Indonesia with DCFP isolation system. Structures, 64, 106593. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2024.106593

Işık, E., Avcil, F., Hadzima-Nyarko, M., İzol, R., Büyüksaraç, A., Arkan, E., Radu, D., & Özcan, Z. (2024). Seismic performance and failure mechanisms of reinforced concrete structures subject to the earthquakes in Türkiye. Sustainability, 16(15), 6473. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16156473

Ivanov, M. L., & Chow, W. K. (2023). Structural damage observed in reinforced concrete buildings in Adiyaman during the 2023 Turkiye Kahramanmaras earthquakes. Structures, 58, 105578. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2023.105578

Jasim, F. A., Jasim, N. A., & Al-Hussein, A. A. (2024). Advancing seismic performance: Isolators, TMDs, and multi-level strategies in reinforced concrete buildings. Open Engineering, 14(1), 20220589. https://doi.org/10.1515/eng-2022-0589

Javidan, M. M., Assefa, J. D., & Kim, J. (2023). Seismic retrofit of low-rise structures using rotational viscoelastic dampers. Structures, 58, 105403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2023.105403

Katsimpini, P., Papagiannopoulos, G. A., & Hatzigeorgiou, G. D. (2025). A thorough examination of innovative supplementary dampers aimed at enhancing the seismic behavior of structural systems. Applied Sciences, 15(3), 1226. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15031226

Khedikar, A. R., Zameeruddin, M., Charpe, P. S., Deshmukh, D., & Hirekhan, S. (2025). Seismic damage assessment of reinforced concrete structures: Low, medium, and high rises using a performance-based seismic design approach. African Journal of Applied Research, 11(1), 910–933. https://doi.org/10.26437/ajar.v11i1.890

Lewandowski, R., Litewka, P., Łasecka-Plura, M., & Pawlak, Z. M. (2023). Dynamics of structures, frames, and plates with viscoelastic dampers or layers: A literature review. Buildings, 13(9), 2223. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13092223

Li, G., Li, J., Fang, C., & Yang, Z. (2023). Seismic performance of two-story three-bay reinforced concrete frame equipped with K-configured buckling restrained braces. Journal of Building Engineering, 74, 106904. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.106904

Marra, M., Palermo, M., & Silvestri, S. (2023). The direct five-step procedure for the design of added viscous dampers to be inserted into existing buildings: Formulation and case study. Frontiers in Built Environment, 9, 1289851. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2023.1289851

Mei, A., Gusella, F., & Orlando, M. (2023). A steel bracing system dissipating energy through moment-rotation hysteresis loops. Engineering Structures, 280, 115640. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2023.115640

Mustafa, Z. N. E., & Saito, T. (2024). Displacement-based seismic design of multi-story reinforced concrete-coupled shear wall buildings with energy-dissipation dampers. Applied Sciences, 14(22), 10734. https://doi.org/10.3390/app142210734

Naderpour, H., SoltaniMatin, A., Kheyroddin, A., Fakharian, P., & Ezami, N. (2024). Optimizing seismic performance of tuned mass dampers at various levels in reinforced concrete buildings. Buildings, 14(8), 2443. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14082443

Naeem, A., Koichi, K., & Lee, J. (2024). Seismic performance evaluation of reinforced concrete building structure retrofitted with self-centering disc-slit damper and conventional steel slit damper. Buildings, 14(3), 795. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14030795

Oyguc, E., Oyguç, R., Şeker, O., Hayır, A., Shen, J., & Akbaş, B. (2025). Experimental evaluation of an innovative tube-in-tube buckling restrained braces for seismic retrofitting of substandard RC frames. Applied Sciences, 15(9), 4662. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15094662

Pandit, A., Ghiasi, R., & Malekjafarian, A. (2024). On the optimization of tuned mass damper inerter systems for buildings subjected to real ground motions using slime mould algorithm. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 179, 108557. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2024.108557

Pollini, N. (2023). On simultaneous analysis and design optimization for seismic retrofitting with fluid viscous dampers. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 66, 181. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-023-03637-2

Rajana, K., Wang, Z., & Giaralis, A. (2023). Optimal design and assessment of tuned mass damper inerter with nonlinear viscous damper in seismically excited multi-storey buildings. Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, 21, 1509–1539. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-022-01609-3

Riaz, R. D., Malik, U. J., Shah, M. U., Usman, M., & Najam, F. A. (2023). Enhancing seismic resilience of existing reinforced concrete building using non-linear viscous dampers: A comparative study. Actuators, 12(4), 175. https://doi.org/10.3390/act12040175

Rodríguez-Castellanos, A., Niño, M., Ruiz, S. E., & Santos Santiago, M. A. (2024). Multi-disciplinary performance comparison for selecting the optimal sustainable design of building structures with fluid-viscous dampers. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 178, 108450. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2024.108450

Sevim, B., Ayvaz, Y., Akbulut, S., Aydiner, M. F., Uzun, S., & Ari, A. (2023). Seismic performance and damage evaluation of reinforced concrete structures based on field investigation made after 6 February 2023, Kahramanmaras earthquakes. Journal of Earthquake and Tsunami. https://doi.org/10.1142/S179343112350032X

Sha, H., Chong, X., Wang, D., Jiang, Q., Wang, Y., & Huang, J. (2025). A direct energy-based design method for damping control reinforced concrete structure: Methodology and application. Engineering Structures, 324, 119323. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2024.119323

Shu, Z., You, R., & Xie, Y. (2024). Viscoelastic dampers for vibration control of building structures: A state-of-art review. Journal of Earthquake Engineering, 28(12), 3558–3585. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632469.2024.2345180

Sonmez, E., Eryilmaz Yildirim, M., Aydin, M. F., & Koroglu, F. B. (2024). Seismic performance assessment of structural systems in the aftermath of the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes: Observations and fragility analyses. Earthquake Spectra. https://doi.org/10.1177/87552930241287541

Tallapragada, S. D. P., Kokkirala, V. G. D. R. B., Bantupalli, R., Ponnada, M. R., & Kapuganti, C. B. (2025). Strategic location of fluid viscous dampers in high-rise reinforced concrete buildings for seismic resilience: A comparative analysis. Journal of Engineering and Technological Sciences, 57(5), 627–647. https://doi.org/10.5614/j.eng.technol.sci.2025.57.5.5

Terenzi, G., Sorace, S., & Fuso, E. (2023). Stiffening effects-controlling sizing procedure of ADAS dampers in seismic retrofit of frame structures. Frontiers in Built Environment, 9, 1114349. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2023.1114349

Titirla, M. D., & Larbi, W. (2024). Comparative analysis of seismic performance enhancement in irregular RC buildings using friction and viscous dampers. Procedia Structural Integrity, 64, 968–974. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prostr.2024.09.378

Vuran, E., Serhatoğlu, C., Timurağaoğlu, M. Ö., Smyrou, E., Bal, İ. E., & Livaoğlu, R. (2025). Damage observations of RC buildings from 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake sequence and discussion on the seismic code regulations. Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, 23, 1153–1182. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-023-01843-3

Weber, R., Cummins, P., & Edwards, M. (2024). Fragility of Indonesian houses: Scenario damage analysis of the 2006 Yogyakarta and 2009 Padang earthquakes. Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, 22, 4705–4743. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-024-01930-z

Xu, Z.-D., Tao, Y., Yang, Y., Dong, Y.-R., Duan, J., Li, S., Wang, H., & Wang, S. (2024). Performance enhancement of damaged RC structures with viscoelastic dampers: Damage assessment and optimal placement. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 177, 108362. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2023.108362

Yue, Z., & Han, G. (2024). Multi-objective optimal design of tuned mass damper inerter for base isolated structures. Scientific Reports, 14, 26370. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-75996-9

Zhang, H., Li, A., Su, Y., Xu, G., & Sha, B. (2024). Viscoelastic dampers for civil engineering structures: A systematic review of constructions, materials, and applications. Journal of Building Engineering, 96, 110597. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2024.110597

Zhang, Y., Xu, W., Du, D., & Wang, S. (2023). Stochastic optimization of dissipation structures based on Lyapunov differential equations and the full stress design method. Buildings, 13(3), 665. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13030665

Zhao, X., Zhou, Y., & Bao, L. (2023). A stability-based energy-dissipation design method of viscoelastic dampers. Engineering Structures, 286, 116109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2023.116109

Zoccolini, L., Bruschi, E., Cattaneo, S., & Quaglini, V. (2023). Current trends in fluid viscous dampers with semi-active and adaptive behavior. Applied Sciences, 13(18), 10358. https://doi.org/10.3390/app131810358