Steel Improvement: Ecuador Building Case

In earthquake-prone regions like Ecuador, where the Pacific Ring of Fire exposes structures to significant seismic activity, ensuring earthquake-resistant building design is crucial. This study delves into the potential for optimizing the weight of non-structural elements in buildings. Using building design software, a 6-story case study building was modeled with variations in architectural design and commonly available masonry materials. The results reveal that strategic material selection and design modifications can significantly reduce building weight (18.21%) while adhering to Ecuadorian Building Code (NEC) seismic performance requirements. This research quantifies the substantial weight reduction achievable through strategic design and material selection, offering a pathway towards more sustainable and cost-effective construction practices in earthquake-prone regions of
Ecuador.

Seismic Design, Weight Optimization, Architectural Distribution, Sustainable Construction