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Abstract

Seismic safety of the RC structure is a crucial issue in Bangladesh, which falls within four different seismic zones as per BNBC 2020. The paper deals with the seismic performance of Special Moment Resisting Frames regarding drift, deflection, base shear, and story shift, leading to an overall structural resilience evaluation framework in line with BNBC 2020. Using analytical modeling and code-based design parameters, the research explores the response of SMRFs against seismic loading conditions for different hazard intensities. The analysis shows that SMRFs outperform in controlling drift, reducing story displacement, and enhancing stability among other framing systems; however, the advantage is not without added reinforcement and construction costs. Beyond the technical findings, the results point to the larger relevance of BNBC 2020 to resilient urban infrastructure. The focus of the code on performance evaluation makes seismic safety a matter not only of compliance but also of long-term viability in earthquake-prone areas. By combining the aspects of drift, deflection, base shear, and story shift in one evaluation, this study offers a decision-making tool that designers, contractors, and regulators can use practically. The results have shown that SMRFs are quite indispensable in high-risk seismic zones, offering the most reliable protection against earthquake-induced damage, despite their economic demands. This dichotomy of structural performance and cost consideration reflects the realities of construction practices in Bangladesh, where resource limitations often drive design decisions. The contribution of this study lies in aligning the state of engineering practice with standards set by BNBC 2020 and further emphasizes the need to embrace the use of SMRFs as a way of balancing safety, efficiency, and sustainability in the rapidly growing urban infrastructure of Bangladesh.