Course overview
The course provides students with an understanding on the behaviour of structures under wind and earthquake loads. Students will learn concepts and techniques for analysing dynamic response of structures subjected to these loadings, and the aspects of structural design with regard to wind and earthquake loads. On the completion of the course, students will develop: (1) an understanding of dynamic responses of structures in related to dynamic loads with emphasis on wind and earthquake effect, (2) ability to assess the response of structures subjected to wind and earthquake loads, and (3) skills in the analysis and design of structures subjected to wind and earthquake loads using Australian Standards.
Course learning outcomes
- Distinguish between the most common structural systems employed to resist lateral loading
- Appreciate the natural hazard posed by wind and earthquake, and understand the associated structural design performance objectives
- Identify and define key concepts related to structural dynamics and vibration characteristics of structures, such as natural frequencies, mode shapes, damping, response spectrum, and nonlinear systems; and understand the nexus between these concepts and the practical design process
- Demonstrate an understanding of key ideas and assumptions underpinning seismic-resistant design, including system ductility, and understand how the engineer can accomplish them through practical detailing
- Explain basic principles governing wind loading of structures, including wind speeds, basic pressures, and localised pressures due to air-flow around a building as governed by its shape
- Apply conventional force-based seismic design in the form of equivalent static analysis or dynamic modal analysis, and develop appreciation for emerging techniques such as displacement-based design
- Compute design actions on structures using the general approaches codified in Australian standards AS 1170.2 (Wind) and AS 1170.4 (Earthquake)