Fundamentals of Earthquake Engineering and Seismic Design

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Characterize earthquake ground motions and seismic hazards in Western and Eastern Canada and assess their implications for design in accordance with NBCC requirements
• Analyze the dynamic response of single- and multi-degree-of-freedom systems subjected to seismic loading
• Perform basic seismic analysis of structures using both hand calculations and software-based methods
• Interpret and apply key seismic design provisions of the National Building Code of Canada
• Explain the concept of ductility and capacity-based design implemented in CSA standards for seismic design

Description

Seismic design requires more than the mechanical application of code provisions. Engineers must interpret how complex and highly variable ground motion characteristics translate into structural demand, and how this demand interacts with system behaviour, ductility, and energy dissipation mechanisms. Without a coherent understanding of these relationships, seismic provisions risk being applied in a prescriptive rather than analytical manner, increasing the likelihood of design inefficiencies or unintended performance outcomes.

This course develops the analytical foundation required to bridge this gap. It examines the underlying physics of earthquake ground motion, the principles of structural dynamics, and the methods used to quantify seismic response in engineering systems. These concepts are directly connected to the framework of the National Building Code of Canada, enabling you to understand not only what the provisions require, but why they are structured as they are.

Through a structured progression from fundamental concepts to applied analysis, the course equips you to evaluate seismic behaviour in simple structural systems, select appropriate analysis approaches, and interpret results within the context of Canadian design standards. The result is a more rigorous, defensible approach to seismic analysis that supports sound engineering judgement and effective design decision-making.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for:

• Engineers and engineering technologists entering or working in structural or seismic design
• Structural, forensic, and consulting engineers involved in the assessment or design of building systems
• Designers and project engineers responsible for applying NBCC seismic provisions
• Early-career to experienced professionals seeking to strengthen their understanding of structural dynamics and seismic analysis

Day I

Welcome, Introduction, Course Preview, Learning Outcomes and the Assessment Method

Earthquake Ground Motions Characteristics

• Historical overview of earthquake engineering
• Causes and effects of earthquakes
• Seismic waves
• Characteristics of earthquakes
• Overview of seismic hazard analysis
• Seismicity in Western and Eastern Canada

Response of a Single-Degree-of-Freedom System

• Elements of structural dynamics
• Free vibration response
• Response to harmonic loads
• Elastic response spectrum
• Introduction to design response spectrum

Day II

Seismic Analysis of Multi-Degree-of-Freedom Structures

• Free vibration of undamped systems
• Forced vibration of damped systems
• Time history analysis method
• Response spectrum analysis method

Overview of Seismic Provisions of the National Building Code of Canada

• Overview of various design requirements
• Design response spectrum
• Types of seismic force-resisting systems
• Overview of equivalent static force procedure
• Principles of seismic design

Questions and Answers and Feedback to Participants on Achievement of Learning Outcomes