B028555 - EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND ELEMENTS OF STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS

Italian

Structural dynamics
Seismic action on structures
Definition of the seismic action
Structural response to earthquakes
Design of structures subjected to seismic actions (basic concepts)
Application examples

- Material that will be made available through the Moodle platform.
- Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Technical Standards for Construction, Ministerial Decree 01/17/2018.
- Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Circular no. 7/2019 - Instructions for the application of the «Update of the“ Technical standards for constructions "» referred to in the ministerial decree 17th January 2018, D.M. 01/21/2019.
- Eurocode 8, Design of structures for earthquake resistance.
- Chopra, Anil K., "Dynamics of Structures", Prentice-Hall International Series in Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics.

Aim of the course is to providing the basis of structural dynamics, to illustrate those tools used for characterizing the behavior of structures subjected to earthquakes and to design seismic-resistant structures, also in compliance with the most recent Italian and European regulatory requirements.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student must have acquired:
- a basic knowledge on the modeling and the analysis of the dynamic behavior of systems with one or more degrees of freedom;
- a basic knowledge on the dynamic behavior of structures, both in linear and in non-linear field;
- basic knowledge on the design and verification criteria of structures in seismic areas.

Applying knowledge and understanding

At the end of the course, the student must have acquired:
- ability to apply acquired knowledges in the design of anti-seismic structures;
- ability to use structural analysis software for static and dynamic analyses;
- ability to apply design methods and criteria for a frame resistant reinforced concrete building located in a seismic area.

Making judgements
At the end of the course, the student must have acquired the autonomous capacity of:
- presenting and comparing different models and tools for assessing the dynamic response of structural systems;
- identifying and defining indicators and descriptors to evaluate data and results;
- ability to identify possible and potential connections between various aspects of a topic and / or a problem.

Communication skills
At the end of the course, the student must have acquired the ability to:
- collaborate within a workgroup, defining objectives, activities, tools;
- presenting and elaborating a report in written and oral form;
- clearly and appropriately exposing the information learned in the course.

Learning skills
At the end of the course, the student must have acquired the ability to:
- self-judgement on the knowledge and skills acquired during his/her personal training path;
- to identify possibilities for autonomous development of further knowledge, skills and competences.

Knowledge and skills acquired along the courses of Mechanics of Structures and Theory of Structures, normally provided in the Bachelor Degree program, are required. No prerequisites in the Master Degree program.

Classroom lectures by using both blackboard and multimedia tools

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The learning verification process will take place through two phases.
In the first phase, the candidates are required to carry out, along the course, a small project activity related to the design of a structural element on which both dynamic analyses and seismic verifications must be conducted. The exercise can be conducted individually or in groups of up to three students. The objective of this first phase is to reach the capacity to develop an engineering analysis of the problem and then to arrive at an engineering design, although of a fairly simple level, of the same.
The second phase consists of an oral test, in which the candidates will have to describe the report relative to their exercise; the oral exam will end with theoretical questions, short exercises, critical discussions with the teacher, with the aim of verifying:
- the knowledge level on the main methodologies related to dynamic and seismic analysis of buildings and structures of civil engineering;
- the ability to clearly explain the concepts learned and to use the proper terminology of the discipline in an appropriate way;
- the ability to understand the literature on structural dynamic analysis and seismic design;
- the ability to acquire the methodological tools to continue studies and independently providing for the updating and the using of the topics in the field of Civil Engineering.

Introduction to the course
Structural dynamics
- Structural dynamics of undamped systems with 1 degree of freedom: general equations; undamped free oscillations;
- Structural dynamics of 1 degree of freedom systems: damped oscillations; forced harmonic oscillations; dynamic amplification factor; exponential notation;
- Structural dynamics of 1 degree of freedom systems: forced oscillations; representation in the time and frequency domain; earthquake action;
- Structural dynamics of 1 degree of freedom systems: the response spectrum; ADRS;
- Structural dynamics of multiple degrees of freedom systems: general equations; the eigenvalue problem;
- Dynamics of multi-degree systems of freedom: exercise (identification of modes);
- Dynamics of continuous systems (basics): continuous systems; discretization; finite elements; lumped and consistent masses.
Definition of the seismic action
- Seismic action: characterization of the earthquake;
- Seismic action: NTC 2018 - Definition of the spectrum; amplification / response factors;
- Seismic action: NTC 2018 - Vertical earthquake; secondary elements;
Structural response to earthquakes
- Non-linear behavior: plastic hinge, excursion in plastic field, example on simple frames, equivalent system;
- Ductility (at material, section, element, structural levels);
- Seismic analysis methods: linear analysis (static and dynamic);
- Seismic analysis methods: non-linear analysis (static and dynamic - basics);
- Structural Hierarchy; capacity design;
- Structural morphology: masses and stiffness center; structural regularity;
- Reinforced concrete structurs: ductile and fragile mechanisms; design actions (capacity); foundations;
- Reinforced concrete structures: details for pillars, beams, walls and foundations
Example of frame calculation
Calculation examples for supporting structures: support wall / manhole cover
The seismic response of steel structures (seminar)
The seismic response of masonry structures (seminar)