Circular Economy in High-Seismicity Andean Zones: A Circular Seismic Design Framework for Reusable Steel Moment Connections with Demountable Shear Tabs — Life Cycle Assessment and Normative Adaptation for Peru
Abstract
Abstract The construction sector contributes 39% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with structural steel manufacturing responsible for 8% of that total. In high-seismicity regions, conventional permanent steel moment connections are irreversibly damaged during seismic events, generating an average of 120 kg of steel waste per connection and reconstruction costs equivalent to 30–40% of original construction value. The existing body of research on demountable steel connections has been limited to low-seismicity contexts, leaving a critical gap in sustainability-seismic performance integration for Andean regions. This study presents a novel Circular Seismic Design (CSD) framework for steel moment connections with Demountable Shear Tabs (DST), integrating Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) with nonlinear seismic performance validation for high-seismicity Peruvian conditions. Twelve numerical models of 3- and 5-story steel moment-resisting frames were subjected to nonlinear time-history analysis using seven Peruvian seismic records (PGA 0.3–0.6g; Mw 7.0–8.5). LCA followed ISO 14040:2006 and ISO 14044:2006 standards (cradle-to-cradle). DST connections achieved a maximum interstory drift of 0.028, 20% lower than welded permanent connections (0.035), while delivering 62% lower global warming potential (GWP) over three reuse cycles (410 kg CO₂ eq vs. 1,080 kg CO₂ eq). Bolt fatigue life reached 2,450 cycles, exceeding the 1,000-cycle requirement for seismic design. A proposed…
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