Newcastle University

Pre Requisite Comment

None

Co Requisite Comment

None

Aims

To develop skills in problem solving, with special emphasis on the design of earthquake resistant high-rise buildings. To develop the ability to choose efficient structural systems and structural layouts.
To be able to design sophisticated structural systems such as those used in high-rise construction.
To design buildings to resist extreme loadings such as earthquake loadings.

Summary:
Designing structures to resist seismic loads is probably the most challenging area of structural engineering. Not only is the magnitude of the forces generated by an earthquake the largest that the building is likely to experience, but they are also much more destructive, much more unpredictable and much more difficult to characterise. For these reasons earthquakes cause tremendous damage to life and infrastructure even in countries that have modern construction codes and practices. This module introduces students to seismicity and to the dynamics that are relevant to the design of buildings. It also teaches students how to design and detail structures to resist earthquake forces and how to perform ground response analyses in order to predict ground surface motions for development of design response spectra. The assessment is by means of coursework where students are required to design a high-rise building for earthquake forces. Information about structural systems for high-rise buildings and structural modelling of high-rise buildings is also covered in this module.

Outline Of Syllabus

Lectures, project based learning, example classes and design exercises will be used to cover the following areas:
Introduction to earthquake engineering, case studies of previous earthquakes, seismicity, introduction to structural dynamics, principles of earthquake resistant design, introduction to Eurocode 8 and earthquake loadings, quasi static load approach, response spectrum methods, response history analysis, serviceability and ultimate limit states for structures in seismic regions, soil characterisation for seismic design, liquefaction and response of granular materials to dynamic forces, amplification of ground motions and response of cohesive materials to dynamic forces, ground response analysis, soil structure interaction, introduction to high-rise building design, financial considerations for high-rise buildings, influence of other consultants on the design process, structural systems for high-rise buildings, structural engineering software, computer modelling of high-rise buildings and presentation of results, Design and detailing of seismic resistant members and connections for reinforced concrete and steel structures, tsunami.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

The module provides opportunities for students to be able to:
Extend knowledge in the design of advanced engineering structures
Assess seismic loadings
Determine the site specific design response spectra
Perform the preliminary sizing of members
Idealise structures and perform computer analysis
Verify the results of a computer analysis
Detail seismic resistant structures
Present design documentation
Appreciate the interaction of design with finance
Appreciate the interaction of design and its interaction with construction

Intended Skill Outcomes

The module should enable the student to become proficient in computer literacy and presentation of computer analysis, teamwork skills, initiative, planning and organisation, and problem solving

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Teaching and learning is enabled through a project based learning approach. The fundamentals of seismic resistant design are introduced and developed through a design exercise. Problem solving and design based skills are developed through small group teaching exercises and computer practical classes. These computer classes develop the student's computer abilities in specialist engineering software and in self-learning and validation of software as well as verification of computer solutions. Initiative is developed through directed self-learning and reading. Extra lectures are presented to fill in gaps that may not be covered by the design exercise.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The coursework is intended to develop students' skill in the practical aspects of seismic resistant design. The emphasis in this module is on the use of structural and geotechnical analysis software. The coursework not only tests the students' ability to design earthquake resistant structures, but also assesses their ability to model complex structural systems and present data generated from specialist engineering software in a form that is easy to interpret. The exam is designed to check that all learning outcomes associated with the module have been achieved.

General Notes

Software used: Etabs - EERA