Performance-based optimum design of structures with vulnerability objectives

A methodology is proposed for the Performance-Based optimum seismic Design (PBD) of structures implementing vulnerability objectives. Vulnerability objectives are introduced through target limit-state probabilities of exceedance. This is achieved by performing additional probabilistic design checks. The PBD framework implementing vulnerability objectives allows designers to explicitly determine acceptable probabilities of exceedance of selected performance indices that must be satisfied simultaneously for all limit-states. The proposed methodology is formulated as a structural optimisation problem. The numerical results demonstrate that PBD framework implementing vulnerability objectives can be easily integrated into a design procedure and is generally applicable.