Seismic Analysis and Design of Steel and Reinforced Concrete Buildings Using NBCC 2025

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

• Evaluate seismic hazards and their implications for building design in Canadian cities

• Apply the seismic design provisions of the National Building Code of Canada 2025 to structural design projects

• Perform equivalent static and dynamic seismic analysis using manual methods and computer-based tools

• Design and detail earthquake-resistant reinforced concrete and steel building systems using relevant CSA requirements

• Integrate appropriate seismic force-resisting systems into the design of multi-storey buildings

Description:

Designing buildings in seismic regions requires you to make critical decisions about structural systems, analysis methods, and detailing requirements that directly affect life safety and code compliance. As seismic provisions continue to evolve, applying NBCC 2025 and the associated CSA standards consistently and correctly can be challenging, particularly when selecting force-resisting systems, evaluating structural responses, and detailing buildings for ductile behaviour.

This advanced course focuses on the practical application of the seismic provisions of NBCC 2025, together with the requirements of CSA A23.3-24 and CSA S16-24. Through worked examples and applied analysis exercises, you will examine equivalent static and dynamic analysis methods, design response spectra, drift limits, structural irregularities, and the integration of seismic force-resisting systems into multi-storey buildings.

You will also explore the design and detailing requirements for reinforced concrete and steel structures, including ductile frames, shear walls, and concentrically braced systems. By the end of the course, you will be better equipped to apply seismic design requirements with confidence and consistency on real building projects.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for:

• Structural engineers

• Forensic engineers

• Consulting engineers

• Project engineers

• Structural designers

Day I

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

Overview of Earthquake Engineering

• Important characteristics of earthquakes

• Seismicity in Canada

• Elements of structural dynamics

• Overview of dynamic analysis methods

Seismic Provisions of the National Building Code of Canada

• Minimum lateral earthquake design force

• Design response spectrum

• Types of seismic force-resisting systems

• Equivalent static force procedure

• Deflections and drift limits

• Other design requirements (irregularities, torsional effects, etc.)

• Solved example: seismic analysis of a building according to the NBCC

Day II

Seismic Design Philosophy

• Introduction to “fuse” mechanisms

• General architectural and construction requirements for seismic design

Seismic Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures

• General seismic design requirements

• Seismic provisions for the design of ductile moment-resisting reinforced concrete frames

• Solved example 1 for reinforced concrete buildings

Day III

Seismic Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures (Continued)

• Seismic provisions for the design of ductile reinforced concrete shear walls

• Solved example 2 for reinforced concrete buildings

Seismic Design of Steel Buildings

• General seismic design requirements

• Seismic provisions for the design of ductile moment-resisting steel frames

• Solved example 1 for steel buildings

• Seismic provisions for the design of concentrically braced steel frames

• Solved example 2 for steel buildings

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