This study presents a comparative analysis between two structural design ideas in the Ecuadorian construction market: hidden vs. drop beams. Due to its location in a high seismic zone, structural design considerations in Ecuador must be made with care. Therefore, to offer improved strength to seismic forces, special moment frames are the most common structural system used. However, hidden beams are popular in low story buildings because of a notion of a cheaper system, despite evidence of collapse during earthquake events. In this study we look at special moment frames using hidden type and drop type beams, in terms of cost, structural, and seismic performance. A total of 32 structural models are analyzed, out of which 16 are models of buildings containing hidden beams and another 16 are drop beams. Linear and nonlinear static analysis, nonlinear local analysis, and moment curvature analysis of the modeled structures are performed to compare their seismic behavior. The structural design is carried out based on linear static analysis to obtain the total cost of all models. Additionally, a nonlinear static pushover analysis was conducted to assess roof displacement. The evidence shows that when using hidden beams, roof displacement is 20%–55% higher than when using drop beams, despite the nearly negligible differences in terms of cost. The evidence also shows that structures with drop beams, have a 22%–28% higher nominal flexural moment than structures with hidden beams, while achieving a 27%–31% higher curvature ductility. This research shows evidence on how structures with drop beams have a better behavior in high seismic risk zones when compared to structures with hidden beams, whose use although allowed, should be limited.

This study presents a comparative analysis of two structural design concepts in the Ecuadorian construction market: hidden vs. drop beams. Typical structural systems used in low-rise buildings are special-moment frames, with either hidden or drop beams. The former is preferred by contractors and builders due to a notion of affordability, despite strong evidence of such system collapsing during recent earthquake events, particularly the April 2016 Ecuador earthquake (M7.8). This comparative analysis spans the mechanical, seismic, and economical aspects. A total of 32 structural models are developed and analyzed for linear and nonlinear static and dynamic response. Sixteen of these models are structures containing hidden beams, and the remaining 16 contain drop beams. The results show that structures with drop beams have no significant cost differences with hidden beams, while achieving a noticeable better structural behavior in high-risk seismic zones. The research gap that the present work aims to fill is a noticeable lack of previous studies comparing these two construction systems.