• 099241 - EARTHQUAKE RESISTANT DESIGN 1

Although the course “099243 - EARTHQUAKE RESISTANT DESIGN (I.C.)” appears subdivided in  two modules ( Earthquake Resistant Design 1 and 2 ), these are fully integrated and both spread over the two semesters. The following list of topics corresponds to the total contents of the integrated course.

First part : Design of new building structures for earthquake resistance.

1. Seismic action definition:

• fundamentals of seismology: seismic wave origin and propagation; surface motion description and effects;
• seismic response of SDOF systems: the response spectrum;

2. Linear response of buildings to the seismic motion:

• modal analysis of frame structures;
• structural modelling for seismic analysis: mass and stiffness representation;
• linear analysis of frame structures: static equivalent, modal, and time history analysis;

3. Non linear response of structures:

• the behaviour factor theory;
• global and local ductility demands;
• global and local collapse mechanisms and capacity design;
• structural regularity;
• response computation: non-linear static analysis.

4. Design of buildings for seismic actions:

• reference building codes: Eurocode 8 (Part 1), Italian Code (NTC-08);
• general requirements for the design of building structures;
• concrete structures: structural typologies, behaviour factors, specific rules for the design of structural elements (beams, columns, nodes, walls);
• steel structures: structural typologies, behaviour factors, specific design rules, action modification in the capacity design.

5. Criteria for the sizing of buildings under seismic actions.
6. Numerical analysis of buildings for seismic actions:

• finite element analysis by commercial codes;
• comparison between experimental and numerical response of structures;
• analysis and design of typical frame buildings.

At the end of the course it is expectet that the students will have understood and be able to apply the relevant design methodologies for the desing of RC and Steel buildings in seismic areas.

Second part : Special problems and special structures.

1. Base isolation and energy dissipation;
2. Amplification of seismic motion in relation to local soil conditions;
3. Seismic response of existing structures: knowledge levels and confidence factors;
4. Masonry structures:

• material properties and resistance;
• box-type behaviour;
• response computation (global shear resistance, collapse mechanisms, refined analysis);
• structural details and strengthening interventions;
• vulnerability analysis;
• guide-lines for monumental structures (churches and palaces).

      5. Special structures (bridges, silos, …).

For the exam, students are required to prepare written reports in relation to:

• evaluation of the experimental behaviour of a frame model by means a numerial model;
• analysis and design of a building structure (detailed design of some beams, columns, joints, walls);
• evaluation of the response of a masonry structure.

The final exam consists in a discussion of the above reports. Reports can be prepared by groups of two or three students.

Norma europea EN-1998-1: Eurocode 8 - Part 1

Italian version

English version (original)