Design of structures in seismic zone

Academic Year 2023/2024 - Teacher: MELINA BOSCO

Expected Learning Outcomes

This course aims at giving the theoretical knowledge and the practical capability for the structural design of buildings in seismic zone.

Course Structure

During the course, the professors will show and explain seismic code and basic concepts to design reinforced concrete or steel buildings in seismic areas. Students will develop, in groups or alone, projects of buildings by means of structural programs and BIM programs under the guide of the professors.

Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the program planned and outlined in the syllabus.

Required Prerequisites

The knowledge of the main concepts provided by the courses of Design of Steel and Concrete members and of Dynamics of Structures with Applications to Earthquake Engineering is necessary. 

Attendance of Lessons

Attendance of lessons is mandatory

Detailed Course Content

Structural codes

Design of steel structures in seismic areas. The purpose is to provide principles and structural detailing of multi-storey buildings in seismic areas. It will be focused on: Moment Resisting Frame MRF and concentric CBF and eccentric EBF braced frames.

Design of r.c. framed buildings in seismic zone
Organization of the structure.
Estimate of seismic action and internal actions in members. Preliminary design of structural elements. Model of the structure. Basic and combined load conditions. Critical discussion of results of numerical analysis. Design of reinforcements, according to capacity design criterion.
Analysis of particular aspects, as the influence of non-structural elements on the global behavior of the structure.


Course Planning

 SubjectsText References
1Italian and European seismic codes 
2Design of steel buildings in seismic areas 
3Design of rc framed buildings in seismic areas 

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

The design of both rc and steel structures is required to sustain the final exam. The final (oral) exam will be focused on the critical discussion of the projects carried out by the students. 

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

Critical discussion of the projects developed by the students.