Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics Course

Course Introduction

This intensive course on Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics provides participants with a solid foundation in the principles, methodologies, and practical applications of designing structures to withstand seismic forces. Over five comprehensive days, participants will explore seismic hazards, dynamic structural response, seismic design codes, and advanced analysis techniques.

Through a combination of lectures, case studies, and hands-on exercises, the course equips engineers and professionals with the knowledge to assess seismic risks, apply modern design strategies, and enhance the earthquake resilience of buildings and infrastructure. Real-world case studies and software demonstrations ensure participants gain both theoretical understanding and practical insights aligned with global best practices.

The Course Objectives

• Understand the fundamentals of earthquake engineering and structural dynamics
• Identify and analyze seismic hazards and risks
• Apply seismic design codes and standards
• Evaluate structural response to seismic forces
• Perform basic and advanced dynamic analyses
• Understand soil-structure interaction and its effects
• Explore retrofitting techniques for existing structures
• Use structural analysis software for seismic evaluation
• Analyze real-world earthquake case studies
• Enhance practical skills through hands-on design activities and group exercises

The Course Outlines

Day 1: Introduction to Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics

• Overview of Earthquake Engineering
• Key concepts in Structural Dynamics
• Types of seismic waves and their effects on structures
• Earthquake phenomena: Ground shaking, fault movements, and seismic sources
• Introduction to the Seismic Design Philosophy
• Basic concepts of Structural Dynamics:
  • Vibration of structures
  • Free and forced vibration of simple structures
• Response of buildings to seismic forces
• Practical case studies of earthquake damage

Day 2: Seismic Hazard and Risk Assessment

• Understanding seismic hazard analysis
• Earthquake ground motion parameters
• Seismic hazard maps and their usage in design
• Risk assessment techniques and methodologies
• Site-specific seismic hazard analysis
• Understanding soil-structure interaction
• Introduction to Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment (PSHA)
• Practical exercises on analyzing hazard data

Day 3: Seismic Design of Buildings and Structures

• Seismic design principles and building codes (e.g., Eurocode 8, IBC)
• Determining seismic forces and loads
• Structural system selection for seismic resistance (e.g., shear walls, moment frames)
• Seismic behavior of different materials (concrete, steel, masonry)
• Design considerations for earthquake-resistant buildings
• Ductility, redundancy, and energy dissipation
• Case studies of seismic-resistant designs
• Hands-on design activity for a simple structure under seismic loading

Day 4: Advanced Topics in Structural Dynamics

• Dynamic analysis of structures: Modal analysis, response spectrum, time-history analysis
• Nonlinear dynamic analysis methods
• Base isolation and damping devices
• Evaluation of building response under large earthquakes
• Retrofitting of existing structures for seismic resilience
• Design of seismic retrofitting systems: Strengthening, bracing, and isolation
• Advanced computational methods in structural dynamics
• Practical demonstration of software used in structural dynamics (e.g., SAP2000, ETABS)

Day 5: Earthquake Engineering Applications and Real-World Case Studies

• Seismic performance of critical infrastructure (bridges, dams, power plants)
• Lessons learned from major earthquakes (e.g., 1994 Northridge, 2011 Tōhoku)
• Earthquake engineering in urban planning and development
• Case studies of earthquake engineering projects
• Practical group activity: Analyzing an earthquake’s impact on structural systems
• Review of key concepts and techniques learned during the course
• Q&A session and feedback