Seismic reliability assessment of code-conforming reinforced concrete buildings made with electric arc furnace slag aggregates

Recent studies have demonstrated how Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) concrete represents a sustainable alternative to ordinary concretes, and that it could be satisfactorily employed to realize reinforced concrete (RC) elements. However, a comprehensive study about the effects of its use in RC structural systems, both in terms of structural safety under static and dynamic loads, and environmental impacts along the whole life cycle, has not been investigated yet. This work analyzes the seismic reliability of standard residential buildings (cast in place RC frames), considering three different configurations (3-, 6- and 9- story building type) designed considering ordinary concretes made with natural aggregates (NA) according to the novel Italian seismic code, which is similar to the Eurocode 8 approach. Non-linear time history analyses have been carried out to investigate the seismic response of the analyzed cases comparing results obtained from the benchmark structures (i.e. the NA ones) with those coming from the same made with EAF mixes, in order to verify the suitability in using sustainable EAF concrete mixes in seismic areas. Lastly, a seismic reliability analysis has been carried out for comparative purposes, demonstrating how EAF concrete overstrength compensates for the extra efforts that the analyzed RC frames may undergo during seismic events.