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, are thoroughly examined and compared with conventional concrete structures. The results of the analyses demonstrate the superior seismic performance of highrise 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.