Introduction

With seismic activity posing a significant threat to communities and infrastructure worldwide, the imperative to design and construct Earthquake-Resilient Structures has become a cornerstone of modern civil engineering, extending beyond mere code compliance to encompass the comprehensive protection of lives and assets. The complex dynamic behavior of structures under seismic loading, coupled with the need for innovative materials and design philosophies, demands specialized expertise to mitigate the devastating impacts of earthquakes. This training course is meticulously designed to equip civil and structural engineers, architects, urban planners, disaster management professionals, and policy makers with cutting-edge knowledge and practical skills in understanding seismology and ground motion characteristics, mastering seismic analysis techniques for various structural systems, applying modern seismic design codes and performance-based approaches, exploring advanced seismic isolation and energy dissipation devices, assessing the vulnerability of existing structures, and developing effective retrofitting strategies to enhance structural resilience against seismic events. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to conceptualize, analyze, and design safe, robust, and economically viable structures that can withstand seismic forces and minimize damage, ensuring the continuity of essential services and the rapid recovery of affected regions.

Target Audience

• Civil Engineers (Structural, Geotechnical)
• Structural Engineers
• Architects (involved in seismic regions)
• Urban Planners & Developers
• Disaster Management Professionals
• Building Code Officials & Regulators
• Researchers in Earthquake Engineering
• Construction Managers
• Consulting Engineers
• Graduate Students in Civil/Structural Engineering

Objectives

• Understand the fundamental principles of seismology and earthquake ground motion characteristics.
• Master various methods of seismic analysis for different structural systems.
• Learn about the provisions and application of modern seismic design codes (e.g., ASCE 7, Eurocode 8).
• Develop proficiency in performance-based seismic design concepts.
• Explore advanced techniques for seismic isolation and energy dissipation.
• Understand the seismic behavior of various structural materials (concrete, steel, masonry).
• Learn about seismic vulnerability assessment of existing structures.
• Develop skills in designing and implementing seismic retrofitting strategies.
• Understand the concepts of structural robustness and progressive collapse prevention in seismic design.
• Explore the role of geotechnical engineering in earthquake-resistant design.
• Formulate comprehensive strategies for designing disaster-resilient structures.

Course Content

Module 1. Fundamentals of Seismology and Earthquake Ground Motion

• Plate Tectonics and Earthquake Generation Mechanisms
• Types of Seismic Waves: P, S, Love, Rayleigh waves
• Earthquake Measurement: Magnitude (Richter, Moment), Intensity (Mercalli)
• Ground Motion Characteristics: Peak ground acceleration (PGA), velocity, displacement, duration
• Site Effects: Soil amplification, liquefaction, landslides

Module 2. Structural Dynamics for Earthquake Engineering

• Single Degree of Freedom (SDOF) Systems: Equation of motion, free and forced vibration
• Damping: Types and their effects on structural response
• Multi-Degree of Freedom (MDOF) Systems: Modes of vibration, natural frequencies, mode shapes
• Response Spectrum: Construction and interpretation
• Introduction to Time History Analysis

Module 3. Seismic Design Philosophy and Codes

• Evolution of Seismic Design Codes: From force-based to displacement-based design
• Design Philosophy: Life safety, collapse prevention, immediate occupancy
• Equivalent Lateral Force (ELF) Procedure: Limitations and applicability
• Response Spectrum Analysis (RSA): Modal combination rules
• Introduction to Performance-Based Seismic Design (PBSD)

Module 4. Seismic Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures

• Ductile Detailing Principles: Capacity design, strong-column/weak-beam concept
• Design of Shear Walls: Coupled and uncoupled shear walls, boundary elements
• Design of Reinforced Concrete Frames: Beam-column joints, confinement requirements
• Seismic detailing of foundations and non-structural elements
• Concrete material behavior under cyclic loading

Module 5. Seismic Design of Steel Structures

• Seismic Force Resisting Systems: Special Moment Resisting Frames (SMRF), Braced Frames (Concentric and Eccentric)
• Buckling Restrained Braces (BRBs): Design and behavior
• Special Plate Shear Walls (SPSW)
• Connections in Seismic Steel Structures: Prequalified connections, ductile detailing
• Steel material behavior under cyclic loading, local buckling effects

Module 6. Seismic Design of Masonry and Timber Structures

• Seismic behavior of unreinforced masonry (URM) structures
• Reinforced masonry design for seismic loads
• Retrofitting techniques for URM buildings
• Timber structures: Diaphragms, shear walls, connections
• Hybrid masonry-concrete/steel systems

Module 7. Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering

• Site Characterization for Seismic Design: Soil properties, Vs30
• Soil Liquefaction: Mechanisms, assessment, mitigation (ground improvement)
• Landslides and Slope Stability under Seismic Loading
• Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI): Kinematic and inertial interaction
• Design of foundations for seismic loads

Module 8. Seismic Isolation Systems

• Principles of Seismic Isolation: Decoupling structure from ground motion
• Types of Isolation Bearings: Lead rubber bearings (LRB), friction pendulum bearings (FPB), high damping rubber bearings (HDRB)
• Design considerations for isolated structures
• Applications and limitations of seismic isolation
• Case studies of seismically isolated buildings and bridges

Module 9. Energy Dissipation Devices

• Principles of Energy Dissipation: Absorbing seismic energy
• Types of Dampers: Viscous fluid dampers, viscoelastic dampers, friction dampers, metallic yield dampers
• Hysteretic behavior of dampers
• Design and integration of dampers into structural systems
• Cost-benefit analysis of using energy dissipation devices

Module 10. Performance-Based Seismic Design (PBSD)

• PBSD Methodology: Performance objectives, acceptance criteria
• Nonlinear Static Analysis (Pushover Analysis): Principles and application
• Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis (Time History Analysis): Selection and scaling of ground motions
• Validation and Verification of PBSD results
• Future of PBSD and its challenges

Module 11. Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of Existing Structures

• Purpose and methodology of seismic vulnerability assessment
• Rapid Visual Screening (RVS) techniques
• Detailed analytical procedures for existing buildings
• Identification of common seismic deficiencies (e.g., soft stories, weak columns)
• Risk assessment and prioritization for retrofitting

Module 12. Seismic Retrofitting and Rehabilitation Strategies

• Global Retrofitting Techniques: Addition of shear walls, bracing, concrete infills
• Local Retrofitting Techniques: Column jacketing (steel, FRP), beam strengthening
• Base Isolation and Supplemental Damping for existing structures
• Non-structural component retrofitting
• Post-earthquake assessment and repair strategies

Module 13. Non-Structural Components and Contents

• Importance of Non-Structural Components (NSC) in seismic performance
• Damage to NSCs: Architectural, mechanical, electrical components
• Anchorage and Bracing of NSCs: Design considerations
• Economic losses due to NSC damage
• Performance objectives for NSCs

Module 14. Urban Planning and Disaster Resilience

• Seismic Risk Mapping and Land-Use Planning
• Building Codes and their enforcement in seismic zones
• Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning
• Post-Disaster Reconstruction and Recovery
• Community resilience and social aspects of earthquake disasters

Module 15. Special Topics and Future Trends

• Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) for seismic events
• Smart Materials and Adaptive Structures for seismic protection
• Tsunami Engineering and Design for Coastal Structures
• Role of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Earthquake Engineering
• Case studies of major earthquakes and lessons learned in structural design.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.