Study information

Introduction to Earthquake Engineering - entry

MODULE TITLEIntroduction to Earthquake Engineering CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEECMM151 MODULE CONVENERProf James Brownjohn (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 3
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 20
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

The module deals with:

  • Origins of earthquakes and estimation of seismic hazard
  • Mathematical manipulation for multi-degree of freedom systems under base excitation leading to response spectrum approach
  • Response spectrum analysis procedure to determine structure response and base shears
  • Mathematical basis of base isolators and tuned mass dampers
  • Use of simulations for visualising and analysing behaviour of base-excited structures
  • Fragility approach to seismic structural risk to structures

You will have been prepared during ECMM149 for the mathematical developments and during ECMM140 for treatment of single degree of freedom (SDOF) systems and use of the NDOF simulator. NDOF is a very powerful software tool, that will be given to you, allowing you to simulate a wide range of SDOF and MDOF load and response scenarios and link them with the mathematical bases.

 

AIMS - intentions of the module

The module aims to present a very strong mathematical and physical foundation for analysing and designing for seismic response of structures which will enable you to ‘see through’ formal code-based design approaches. This will be continuously reinforced using an in-house developed simulator used since 2000 for training students in structural dynamics. The module will provide a complete rationalisation of the earthquake engineering problem from the perspective of source (seismic hazard), path (structure dynamic behaviour) and performance (risk assessment).

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

1. Assess seismic hazard according to earthquake types and metrics and site characteristics
2. Reduce complex structures to single degree of freedom systems and estimate response and base shear for base excitation described as deterministic function or response spectrum.
3. Carry out simple performance-based design.

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

4. Explain and simulate physical and mathematical basis of base-excited structure dynamics through extensive using NDOF software.
5. Appreciate the physical meaning of design code approaches to designing for and estimating seismic loads.

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

6. Conceptually understand base excitation and apply this understanding to general situations beyond design codes

 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

Seismology and seismic hazard

Single degree of freedom oscillators with base excitation

Multiple degree of freedom systems under base excitation

Fundamentals of base isolation and tuned mass dampers

Seismic risk and performance-based design

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 50 Guided Independent Study 100 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning & teaching activities 30 Lectures
Scheduled learning & teaching activities 20 Tutorials
Guided independent study 100 Independent study and coursework

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
There will be opportunities to reflect on and review work undertaken towards assessed coursework N/A N/A Discussion within tutorials
       
       
       
       

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 30 Written Exams 70 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Coursework 1 10 Up to 10 Pages 1,2 Comments returned with paper
Coursework 2 10 Up to 10 Pages 2 Comments returned with paper
Coursework 3 10 Up to 10 Pages 3 Comments returned with paper
Examination 70 2 hours 1,2,3,4,5,6 Mark returned
         

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
All above Examination All August Ref/Def Period
       
       

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

All referred/deferred assessments will be by written exam

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic reading:

 

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

will be used to provide information about course structure and timing

Web based and Electronic Resources:

 

Other Resources:

NDOF simulator

 

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Inman, DJ Engineering Vibration 2nd Prentice-Hall 2001 013726142x
Set Chopra A Earthquake dynamics of Structures, a Primer Earthquake Engineering Research Institute 2005 1932884076
Set Smith JW Vibration of Structures: applications in civil engineerign design London, Chapman and Hall 1988
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 7 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Tuesday 7th October 2014 LAST REVISION DATE Thursday 28th May 2015
KEY WORDS SEARCH Vibration seismic, hazard risk performance, earthquake ductility, base isolation, tuned mass damper

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.