CE – 416
Earthquake Engineering
Credits: 3 + 0
UG CE 2023
Spring 2026 Semester
1
CE-416 EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLOs)
Taxonomy
[Link] CLO Domain PLO
Level
Analyse the effect of dynamic loadings on simple
1 Cognitive 4 1
structures
Analyze multi-storey buildings under the action of
2 Cognitive 4 3
seismic excitations.
Communicate the findings of seismic analysis
3 Affective 2 10
through oral presentation of term project.
Carry out self-directed reading for solution of
4 Cognitive 3 12
seismic analysis of a structure.
CE – 416: Earthquake Engineering – Semester: Spring 2025 2
CE-416 EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING
1. Engineering Seismology and Seismic hazard analysis
• Introduction to seismology and earthquake engineering
• Probabilistic Seismic hazard analysis
2. Structural Dynamics
• Introduction to structural dynamics
• Equations of motions for SDF Lumped mass system, free vibrations, rigid body assemblages,
• Response of SDF system to harmonic, periodic and general dynamic loadings
• Direct integration solution of SDF systems using time-stepping methods
• MDF lumped mass system: shear building, classical modal analysis (Eigen-value analysis), calculation of
natural frequencies, time periods and mode shapes of MDF systems
3. Seismic Analysis and Design of Structures
• Equivalent static lateral force procedure and Calculation of base shear for given building frame system
• Seismic design of reinforced concrete structures, according to provisions of ACI, UBC/IBC. Detailing of
reinforced concrete structures for earthquake resistance as per Code)
• General seismic design considerations: common mistakes in practice, regularity, lateral force resisting
mechanisms and ductility
• Use of any FEM software (ETABS or SAP 2000) for seismic design of structures
4. Term Project: Seismic Analysis of a Multi-story Building
• Term Project: Seismic analysis of a case study multi-story building/ structure (a software-based project)
CE – 416: Earthquake Engineering – Semester: Spring 2025 3
Weekly Plan
Week/
Topic
Lecture
1 Introduction to Seismology and earthquake engineering
2-3 Seismic Hazard Analysis
4 Introduction to structural dynamics
5 Generalized SDOF system, rigid body assemblages, lumped mass system: shear building
6 Equation of motion for SDOF Lumped mass system
7-9 Response of SDF system to harmonic, periodic and general dynamic loadings
Direct integration solution of SDF systems using time-stepping methods
10-11 Equation of motion for MDOF Lumped mass system, Calculation of eigen values and eigen vectors, shear
building and solution of various examples
12 Equivalent static lateral force procedure and Calculation of base shear for given building frame system, response
spectrum and time history analysis
13 Seismic analysis of reinforced concrete structures according to provisions of UBC/IBC.
14 General seismic design considerations: common mistakes in practice, regularity, lateral force resisting
mechanisms and ductility
15 Use of FEM software (SAP2000) for earthquake analysis of structures
16-17 Project seismic Analysis of a multi-storey building (a software based project)
18 ESE
CE – 416: Earthquake Engineering – Semester: Spring 2025 4
Textbooks
• R.R. Craig, Jr., Structural Dynamics, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
• Mario Paz Structural Dynamics: Theory and Computation
• A.K. Chopra, Dynamics of Structures-Theory and Applications to Earthquake Engineering, Prentice Hall, Inc.
• J.W. Tedesco, W.G. McDougal and C.A. Ross, Structural Dynamics, Addison Wesley Longman, Inc.
• The final grade will be computed according to the following weight distribution:
• MSE: 25%
• Assignments: 5%
• Quizzes: 15%
• CEP: 10%
• Final Exam: 45%
5
Why to carry out dynamic analysis ?
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Importance of dynamic analysis
• Concepts discussed in courses related to structural engineering that you have studied till now is
based on the basic assumption that the either the load (mainly gravity) is either already present or
applied very slowly on the structures.
• This assumption work well most of the time as long no acceleration is produced due to applied
forces. However, in case of structures/ systems subjected to dynamics loads due to rotating
machines, winds, suddenly applied gravity load, blasts, earthquakes, using the afore mentioned
assumption provide misleading results and may result in structures/ systems with poor performance
that can sometime fail.
• This course is designed to provide you fundamental knowledge about how the dynamic forces
influences the structural/systems response
7
Machine vibration
Sources of Dynamic Excitation
dv/dt = 0 Static Load
v
Blast Impact
dv/dt≠0
Dynamic Load
t
Wind
8
Ground motion
● Classification of Structural analysis
- Static analysis: Response analysis of structures under static loads
- Dynamic analysis: Response analysis of structures under dynamic loads
- Deterministic analysis: Loads are prescribed (known)
- Random/Probabilistic analysis: Loads are known only in a statistical sense
- Linear analysis:
- Nonlinear analysis: material non-linearity,
geometric non-linearity
We would only limit to Linear Time Invariant (LTI) Systems in this course
● Classification of Structural Models
• Distributed Parameter Model : Continuous Systems
– Realistic
– Difficult to analyse
– Exact in nature
– Involves PDE
• Distcrete Parameter Model : Lumped Mass System
– Ideallization needed
– Easy to analyse
– Approximate in nature
– Involves ODE
10
The Science and Art of Structural Dynamics
1.1 Introduction to Structural Dynamics
• Dynamic means time-varying.
• A dynamic load is one whose magnitude, direction, or point of
application varies with time; while the resulting time-varying
deflections and stresses constitute the dynamic response.
• The prescribed loading: the loading is a known function of time.
→ a deterministic analysis: the analysis of a specified structural
system to a prescribed loading.
• The random loading: the time history of the loading is not
completely known, but is known only in a statistical sense.
11 11
• Differences between a structural dynamics and
static problems
• The time varying nature of the excitation
• The role played by accelerations in a structural dynamics
problem
• The acceleration of the beam gives rise to a distributed
inertia force.
• If the inertia force contributes significantly to the
deflections and internal stresses in the structure, then a
dynamical investigation is required.
12 12
Variation of blast loading wr.t time and its effect
13
Tacoma Narrows bridge
• A classic example.
• A suspension bridge built in 1940s.
• The bridge was designed by one of the leading experts in suspension bridges at that time.
• Dead load, traffic load, and wind induced drag load (lateral force) were considered in the structural
design.
• However, the bridge collapsed during a wind storm in which the wind velocity was much lower than
the maximum wind speed used in the design.
14
Flutter of Tacoma Narrows Bridge
15
16
Tacoma Narrows bridge
• The design, based on static concept, was perfectly correct, but the dynamic effects were not
considered.
• From the recorded motion picture, we found that the bridge collapsed by a certain unstable dynamic
excitation mechanism (torsional flutter).
• Starting from small amplitude torsional oscillation, the motion grew up until suspended ropes broke
by fatigue, and then the bridge collapsed.
• After this failure, many studies on bridge dynamics were conducted, and every bridge engineer
involved in the design of long-span bridges has to learn the theory of structural dynamics.
17
Flutter of Tacoma Narrows Bridge
18
Wind Effects on Structures
Deformation due to time-averaged aerodynamic force
Static Stress due to wind-induced pressure or force
effects Torsional divergence (negative stiffness)
Static
instability Lateral buckling
due to atmospheric turbulence
Buffeting (random Limited-
Forced vibration) due to body-induced turbulence (wake) amplitude
vibration response
Vortex excitation
Dynamic Galloping
effects Wake galloping
Dynamic
Divergent-
instability
Torsional flutter amplitude
(negative response
damping) Coupled flutter
Rain-induced vibration
19
A Hospital Building subjected to an earthquake
• Structural safety is the main concern.
• A hospital building was subjected to the San Fernando
earthquake in 1971, and it was severely damaged.
• The building vibrated like a large rigid mass shaking on
flexible columns. These columns had to resist large
cyclic shear force, and after few cycles they failed.
• The dynamic shear force is proportional to the product
of mass and acceleration of the building Olive View Hospital
(First story has a permanent displacement of 2 feet (61 cm)
𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎
Courtesy: P. C. Jennings and G. W. Housner 20
Earthquake Loading on Structures
21
● Seismic Loads (forces)
• Release of energy from earth crust/tectonic forces
• Most severe load placed on civil structures
• EQ loading is quite complex in nature
• Loads are stochastic (random)
• Near Field
– High Amplitude
– Dominated by pulse load
• Far Field
– Attenuated
– Highly dependent on geotechnical conditions
– Filtered signal
– Not dominated by pulse load
A Hospital Building subjected to an earthquake (continued)
Collapsed first story of Psychiatric building at
Olive View Hospital after February 1971 San
Olive View Hospital
Fernando earthquake
During the 9 February 1971 San Fernando earthquake the new Olive View Hospital building was
severely damaged. In response to very strong ground shaking. the building vibrated essentially as a Second story column fracture in
large mass on relatively flexible columns. The spirally reinforced concrete columns were deformed Olive View Hospital
far beyond the requirements of the building code.
23
Courtesy: P. C. Jennings and G. W. Housner
A Hospital Building subjected to an earthquake (continued)
• In many current seismic resistant design codes, a regular building may be designed by a static
method, that is, the building may be designed to resist an equivalent static lateral force (of
earthquake).
• Although the analysis involved is static analysis, the equivalent static force is entirely formulated
from the consideration of the dynamic behavior of the building.
• For the seismic design of complex structures and/or important structures, an explicit dynamic
analysis may be required.
24
Balakot, Kashmir Earthquake (2005)
Magnitude = 7.6
Death Toll = 79,000
25
Wenchuan Earthquake (2008), China
Magnitude = 7.9
Death Toll > 70,000
26
Yogyakarta Earthquake (2006)
Magnitude = 6.2
Death Toll = 5,000
27
Kobe Earthquake (1995)
Magnitude = 6.9
Death Toll > 6000
28
Earthquake Motion: Kobe Earthquake, 1995
29
30
Building Response to EQ Ground Shaking
Lateral-Torsional Movement (period = 0.50 sec) 32
First-story Collapse of Commercial Buildings
The 1999 Chi-Chi Earthquake (Taiwan)
33
33
Why This Course?
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Location of Major Earthquakes in Last 100 Years
Why This Course?
Seismic zonation of Pakistan as per
Building Code of Pakistan (BCP). The
areas in red color (Zone 4) are under
severe threat of earthquakes.
The areas in dark blue and light
blue are relatively less exposed
to seismic threat.
35
Tower Structures
• Marine observation towers, airport control towers, tall and slender buildings (see the following
slides).
• These structures are safe against wind and earthquake.
• But the wind-induced vibration may causes human discomfort – motion sickness, difficult to perform
desk work, furniture and fixtures make sounds
• Serviceability problems
36
The Yokohama Marine
Tower (Japan, 1961)
37
Tall Buildings - Dynamic Wind Effects need to be considered !
40
A Steel Stack
A Pedestrian Bridge
47
A Pedestrian Bridge
• 2000 pedestrians walk across the bridge in the same time.
• The bridge is subjected to human-induced force in both vertical and horizontal directions.
• The bridge girder vibrates laterally, and the stay cables also vibrate with very large lateral vibration
amplitudes, says up to 50 cm.
• The dynamic stresses are so low that the structure will never fail.
• And the vibrations are too low to cause any difficulty on the walking mode of pedestrians.
• But many pedestrians are afraid to walk. Many people complain about the vibration, and many of
them think that the bridge was poorly designed and constructed.
• Problem of ‘human perception of vibration’
48
Thank you