david.cerpa.2019

Ecuador's location on the Pacific Ring of Fire exposes it to significant seismic activity, evidenced by historic and important earthquakes around the country. Consequently, earthquake engineering plays a crucial role in the reinforced concrete design of structures, especially buildings. This study investigates how much influence can represent the weight optimization of non-structural elements in the seismic design of Ecuadorian structures. The study will explore the use of different masonry materials, such as load-bearing block, lightened block, and mambron bricks, commonly available in the national market. This study addresses this by investigating the interplay between architectural distributions and material selection, focusing on identifying strategies to optimize weight without compromising seismic performance. To address this issue, building design software will be used to create diverse models of a 6-story case study building. These models will incorporate variations in architectural design and commonly available masonry materials found in the Ecuadorian market. This information will be used to develop design guidelines that consider weight reduction strategies. This, in turn, can contribute to more cost-effective and sustainable construction practices in earthquake-prone regions of Ecuador, potentially leading to safer and more resource-efficient buildings.