Automation and Genetic Algorithm Optimization for Seismic Modeling and Analysis of Tall RC Buildings

• Published in: Buildings (Basel) Vol. 15; no. 19; p. 3618
• Main Authors: Cabrera, Piero A., Medina, Gianella M., Delgadillo, Rick M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 09.10.2025
• Subjects: Accuracy; Algorithms; application programming interface; Artificial intelligence; Automation; Concrete; Earthquakes; genetic algorithm; Genetic algorithms; Gravity; High rise buildings; Lead time; Machine learning; Material properties; Mean square errors; Modelling; Neural networks; Optimization; Optimization techniques; python; Reinforced concrete; Root-mean-square errors; Run time (computers); Seismic analysis; Seismic response; Shear forces; Simulation; Skyscrapers; Stochastic processes; Structural members; Support vector machines; Tall buildings; Technology application; User interface; Peru
• ISSN: 2075-5309; 2075-5309
• DOI: 10.3390/buildings15193618

This article presents an innovative approach to optimizing the seismic modeling and analysis of high-rise buildings by automating the process with Python 3.13 and the ETABS 22.1.0 API. The process begins with the collection of information on the base building, a structure of seventeen regular levels, which includes data from structural elements, material properties, geometric configuration, and seismic and gravitational loads. These data are organized in an Excel file for further processing. From this information, a code is developed in Python that automates the structural modeling in ETABS through its API. This code defines the sections, materials, edge conditions, and loads and models the elements according to their coordinates. The resulting base model is used as a starting point to generate an optimal solution using a genetic algorithm. The genetic algorithm adjusts column and beam sections using an approach that includes crossover and controlled mutation operations. Each solution is evaluated by the maximum displacement of the structure, calculating the fitness as the inverse of this displacement, favoring solutions with less deformation. The process is repeated across generations, selecting and crossing the best solutions. Finally, the model that generates the smallest displacement is saved as the optimal solution. Once the optimal solution has been obtained, it is implemented a second code in Python is implemented to perform static and dynamic seismic analysis. The key results, such as displacements, drifts, internal and basal shear forces, are processed and verified in accordance with the Peruvian Technical Standard E.030. The automated model with API shows a significant improvement in accuracy and efficiency compared to traditional methods, highlighting an R2 = 0.995 in the static analysis, indicating an almost perfect fit, and an RMSE = 1.93261 × 10−5, reflecting a near-zero error. In the dynamic drift analysis, the automated model reaches an R2 = 0.9385 and an RMSE = 5.21742 × 10−5, demonstrating its high precision. As for the lead time, the model automated completed the process in 13.2 min, which means a 99.5% reduction in comparison with the traditional method, which takes 3 h. On the other hand, the genetic algorithm had a run time of 191 min due to its stochastic nature and iterative process. The performance of the genetic algorithm shows that although the improvement is significant between Generation 1 and Generation 2, is stabilized in the following generations, with a slight decrease in Generation 5, suggesting that the algorithm has reached its level has reached a point of convergence.