Performance-Based Seismic Design of a G+5 Reinforced Concrete Building Using ETABS and Perform-3D

Webinar details

Modern buildings require seamless collaboration between structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineers to achieve safe, resilient, and efficient designs. This webinar provides a practical introduction to Performance-Based Seismic Design (PBD) and demonstrates how structural engineering integrates with MEP building services throughout the design process.

Using a G+5 reinforced concrete moment-resisting frame (RC MRF) as a real-world case study, participants will learn the complete workflow for developing a nonlinear structural model in ETABS and PERFORM-3D in accordance with internationally recognized guidelines, including FEMA 356, ASCE 41-17, and ATC-40. The session will cover the fundamental principles of PBD, including performance objectives, plastic hinge modelling, nonlinear pushover analysis, and interpretation of structural performance levels.

Beyond structural analysis, the webinar will highlight the critical coordination between the structural system and major MEP components. Participants will gain an understanding of how chillers, cooling towers, Air Handling Units (AHUs), ventilation systems, electrical control rooms, generators, and other heavy building services equipment influence structural design, seismic performance, equipment support, vibration control, and load distribution. Practical solutions such as the use of floating slabs and vibration isolation systems for rooftop mechanical equipment and plant rooms will also be discussed.

The webinar will further provide a simplified overview of how a chiller, cooling tower, and Air Handling Unit work together within a building cooling system, illustrating how mechanical system requirements translate into structural loading, equipment support, and multidisciplinary engineering coordination. Participants will appreciate the importance of integrating structural and MEP design from the early project stages to improve safety, constructability, and operational performance.

Whether you are a structural engineer, mechanical engineer, electrical engineer, building services professional, project engineer, or engineering student, this webinar will provide practical insights into the multidisciplinary design approach required for modern resilient buildings.

• The webinar will be recorded and will be sent out to registered attendees afterwards.
• A certificate of attendance will be provided to attendees who request one near the end of the live webinar session.
• Please note: the time stated on this event is in UTC. You will need to convert this to your own time zone.

Key takeaways from this webinar:

• Understand the principles of Performance-Based Seismic Design (PBD) for reinforced concrete buildings.
• Develop a nonlinear G+5 reinforced concrete moment-resisting frame model in ETABS.
• Perform and interpret nonlinear pushover analysis results and define performance objectives, seismic load patterns, and plastic hinge properties based on FEMA 356, ASCE 41-17, and ATC-40.
• Understand the integration of MEP systems with structural engineering during the design of modern buildings.
• Learn how chillers, cooling towers, Air Handling Units (AHUs), generators, ventilation systems, and electrical plant rooms interact with the structural system.
• Explore the structural design considerations for heavy mechanical equipment, including equipment supports, floating slabs, vibration isolation, and seismic load transfer.
• Gain practical knowledge of multidisciplinary coordination between structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering to deliver safe, resilient, and high-performance buildings.

Event Details

• Date: Thursday 1st October 2026
• Time: 7:00 AM- 8:00 AM UTC
• Location: Online Session

Meet the Presenter

Dr. Mistreselasie Sentayehu Abate (D.Eng., PMP, M.Sc., MBA, PPST)

Dr. Mistreselasie Sentayehu Abate (D.Eng., PMP, M.Sc., MBA, PPST) is a dedicated and results-oriented structural engineer, researcher, and academic with nearly 20 years of experience in civil engineering. He is currently a Lecturer at the Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT, where he supervises postgraduate research and teaches courses including ME700 Project Thesis, structural dynamics and advanced structural engineering modules. Dr. Abate has published multiple peer-reviewed research papers and book chapters in the fields of seismic engineering, wind engineering, nonlinear modelling, and performance-based structural design.

He serves as a peer reviewer for numerous international journals, including the Journal of Building Engineering, Results in Engineering, Ain Shams Engineering Journal, KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, Engineering Technology Open Access Journal (ETOAJ), Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Zede Journal, among others. Additionally, he is an Editorial Review Board Member for the Journal of Asian Scientific Research. Across these journals, he has reviewed more than 130 manuscripts, contributing significantly to global research quality. His full research portfolio is available at ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9263-6254 .

Dr. Abate’s research focuses on understanding how structures behave under extreme events such as major earthquakes and severe winds. His expertise includes seismic resilience, site-specific hazard assessments, nonlinear dynamic modelling, vulnerability evaluations, and advanced analysis of RC and composite structural systems. He is proficient in key engineering software such as ETABS, SAP2000, SAFE, PROKON, ADAPT-PT, GEOS, RSTAB, ELPLA, Primavera, and MS Project. Dr. Abate regularly delivers professional webinars and specialized training programs aimed at improving engineering practice and strengthening performance-based design capability across the industry.

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About the Engineering College of Technology (ECT)

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