Seismic Performance Analyses of High-Rise Structures Constructed with Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)-Fibered Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) in Bangladesh: Case Study

The seismic performance of high-rise structures is critical to ensure the safety and structural integrity of buildings in earthquake-prone regions. Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) have emerged as promising construction material due to their unique mechanical properties, such as high ductility, strain-hardening behavior, and enhanced energy dissipation capabilities. The addition of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) fibers further enhances the tensile and flexural properties of ECC, making it an attractive option for seismic-resistant structures. This research paper presents a comprehensive study on the seismic performance analyses of high-rise structures constructed with PVA-fibered ECC over conventional reinforced concrete (RC) structures. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of PVA-fibered ECC in enhancing the seismic performance of tall buildings under different seismic loading conditions and the variation of PVA fiber and steel rebar percent. A parametric study series is performed using advanced finite element method (FEM) analysis techniques. The high-rise structures with PVA-fibered ECC are subjected to El Centro ground motion records representing different seismic hazard levels analyzed through time history direct integration method considering material nonlinearity and P-delta effect. The response of the structures, including displacements, accelerations, inter-story drifts, and stress distributions, is thoroughly examined and compared to conventional concrete structures. The results of the analyses demonstrate the superior seismic performance of high-rise structures constructed with PVA-fibered ECC compared to conventional concrete structures. The PVA-fibered ECC exhibits enhanced ductility and energy dissipation capacity, effectively reducing the seismic demands on the structural elements.