Abstract
In this paper, the optimal seismic design methodology which can consider the structural integrity of both the piping systems and the elasto-plastic dampers are developed. This methodology employs genetic algorithm and can search the optimal conditions such as the supporting location and the capacity of the dampers. Four kinds of evaluation functions arc considered. As the results, it is found that the optimal seismic design methodology proposed here is very effective and can be applied to the actual seismic designs for the piping systems supported by the clasto-plastic dampers. And it is shown that this methodology can be also applied to the piping systems exposed to the actual earthquake waves which have various frequency characteristics.
