Enhancing Blast Mitigation Strategies in RC Buildings: A Fuzzy Logic Approach to Optimal Damper Placement

Abstract

The study examines the performance of RC buildings subjected to underground blast–induced forces, evaluating the performance of X-plate dampers in mitigating blast loading conditions. Analyzing 11-story buildings with diverse plan geometries, the study evaluates damper placement strategies, namely, installing dampers at all locations and at alternate floors to enhance building performance. The primary goal is to optimize damper placement using fuzzy logic techniques. Additionally, the impact of various bracing systems (diagonal, X, V, inverted V, and K) on RC building performance is assessed. Strategic placement of X-plate dampers significantly improved building performance, offering a cost-effective solution against blast-induced loads. Unlike conventional methods that rely on predefined criteria for damper placement, this research integrates fuzzy logic parameters to determine optimal placement strategies. The study employs fuzzy logic to dynamically adjust damper positions based on real-time conditions, resulting in more efficient and effective blast resistance solutions. The study implements fuzzy logic models, namely Gaussian and sigmoidal membership functions, to optimize the number of dampers installed in square, rectangle, L-shaped, and C-shaped building models. It was observed that an X bracing pattern is the most efficient technique is obtaining maximum reduction in structural responses subjected to underground blast–induced vibrations. The structural responses such as displacement, shear force, and bending moment are reduced by 78%, 71%, 75%, and 86%, respectively, when subjected to far-end blast-induced vibrations. The study observed that implementing to lowest interstory drift ratio (S1) case fuzzy logic approach resulted in 75%, 63%, 63%, and 63% reductions in damper numbers for square, rectangular, L-shaped, and C-shaped buildings compared with dampers at all locations.