Application of Optimal Design Methodology on the Seismic Design of Piping Systems Supported by Elasto-Plastic Dampers

In this study, the optimal seismic design methodology which can consider the structural integrity of both the piping systems and the elasto-plastic supporting devices are developed. This methodology employs genetic algorithm and can search the optimal conditions such as the supporting location, the capacity and stiffness of the supporting devices. The lead extrusion damper is treated here as a typical elasto-plastic damper. Four kinds of evaluation functions; stress of piping systems, energy absorption, lead melt of dampers and energy absorbing balance are considered and each optimal condition is clarified and discussed. As the results, it is found that the optimal seismic design methodology proposed here is very effective and can be applied to the actual seismic designs for the piping systems supported by the elasto-plastic dampers, and can be also applied to the piping systems exposed to the actual earthquake waves which have various frequency components and the piping systems with a heavy local mass.