TRAINING.

Overview

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

Special Features & Requirements

It is recommended that upon completion of this basic course, participants take the advanced course of "Seismic Analysis and Design of Steel and Reinforced Concrete Buildings according to NBCC" to enhance their knowledge of seismic analysis and design. This advanced course provides a more thorough review of the seismic provisions of the National Building Code and covers the seismic design and detailing requirements for reinforced concrete and steel buildings according to the CSA A23.3 and CSA S16 codes.

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Syllabus

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

Instructor

Vahid Sadeghian, Ph.D, P.Eng.

Dr. Sadeghian is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Carleton University. Prior to joining Carleton, he worked at the Structural Group of Arup in Toronto. He received his Ph.D. and MASc degrees from the University of Toronto, and his BASc from the University of Tehran.

With over 10 years of experience in teaching, research, and consulting, Dr. Sadeghian is a registered PEng with Professional Engineers Ontario. He has authored more than 35 peer-reviewed scientific publications in different areas of structural engineering. His research interests mainly focus on seismic design and assessment of buildings, nonlinear analysis, the behaviour of aging and repair structures, and structures built using innovative materials and construction techniques.