Seismic hazard constitutes a central issue in building engineering, as it critically affects the safety, performance, and resilience of both new and existing structures. Understanding its implications is essential for the development of sound and reliable structural design strategies. This course aims to provide graduate students with the theoretical foundations and practical methodologies necessary for the design and assessment of buildings subjected to seismic actions. Emphasis is placed on a balanced integration of fundamental concepts, analytical tools, and design applications, fostering a comprehensive understanding of earthquake engineering principles. After an introduction to the dynamics of structural systems, the course explores seismic response analysis and design methodologies. Practical sessions—featuring design exercises—enable students to acquire proficiency in structural dynamics software and to apply international standards and codes for earthquake-resistant design with technical competence and critical insight.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: • Understand and apply the fundamental concepts and analytical tools for seismic hazard assessment and the definition of seismic actions; • Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of key issues in earthquake engineering and structural dynamics, and their formulation within the framework of structural engineering practice; • Develop and implement structural models to evaluate the seismic response and safety of buildings and infrastructure; • Employ advanced design tools and methodologies for the analysis and design of earthquake-resistant structures.

Students are expected to possess a basic background in mathematics, mechanics, and structural engineering.

- Seismic hazard (4h) - Seismic site response and associated co-seismic effects (4h) - Seismic actions (2h) - Earthquakes effects on structures (2 h) - Single degree of freedom (SDoF) systems (4 h) Response of the damped linear oscillator to harmonic and periodic excitation. Response to arbitrary excitation: frequency domain and time domain analysis. Response to stochastic excitation: temporal correlation and covariance; power spectral density; transfer functions. Response spectra. Experimental evaluation of damping. Direct integration of the equations of motion, time stepping methods. Basic concepts of seismic isolation. - Multiple Degree Of Freedom (MDoF) systems (2 h) - Structural analysis in seismic areas (6 h) Elastoplastic oscillator and ductility demand. Design response spectra. Linear and non-linear (push-over) static analysis. Modal analysis: response spectrum analysis; - Earthquake resistant building design (6 h) Experiences learned from recent earthquakes: masonry, reinforced concrete, steel etc. Global ductility criteria and capacity design. Local ductility criteria and structural detailing for seismic areas. Rules for reinforced concrete and steel buildings. - Analysis of existing structures in seismic areas (6 h) Structural knowledge, levels of knowledge. Criteria for analysis and verification of reinforced concrete, masonry and steel structures. - Seismic retrofitting of structures (3 h) - Seismic isolation of structures (3 h)

Both numerical and design applications will be carried out during the course (18 hours in total). The classroom exercises focus on numerical analyses aimed at evaluating the dynamic and seismic response of simple structural systems. Design activities include supervised sessions during which students receive the necessary guidance and information to develop a complete structural project for a building located in a seismic area. The design work is based on an architectural design and culminates in the preparation of a complete structural design, including structural calculations and graphic documentation.

Reference textbooks: Italian and European standards for constructions in seismic areas Lecture notes Other readings: - Dynamics of structures / Ray W. Clough, Joseph Penzien, 1993. - Dynamics of structures: theory and applications to earthquake engineering/ Anil K. Chopra, 2005. - Fundamentals of earthquake engineering / Nathan M. Newmark, Emilio Rosenblueth, 1971. - Theoretical and experimental modal analysis/ Nuno MM Maia, Julio MM Silva, 1997. - Reinforced concrete structures / R. Park, T. Paulay, 1990 - Criteri di progettazione antisismica degli edifici / L. Petrini, R. Pinho, G.M. Calvi, 2004 - Progetto antisismico di edifici in cemento armato / E. Cosenza, G. Magliulo, M. Pecce, 2004

Modalita di esame: Prova orale obbligatoria;

Exam: Compulsory oral exam;

... Compulsory oral exam; individual project; To be admitted to the final examination, students must have satisfactorily completed the structural design project of a building developed during the course. The final assessment consists of an oral examination intended to evaluate the achievement of all learning outcomes, including a discussion of the individual design project. The project discussion accounts for up to one third of the overall grade; however, a satisfactory evaluation in this component is strictly necessary to pass the exam.

Gli studenti e le studentesse con disabilita o con Disturbi Specifici di Apprendimento (DSA), oltre alla segnalazione tramite procedura informatizzata, sono invitati a comunicare anche direttamente al/la docente titolare dell'insegnamento, con un preavviso non inferiore ad una settimana dall'avvio della sessione d'esame, gli strumenti compensativi concordati con l'Unita Special Needs, al fine di permettere al/la docente la declinazione piu idonea in riferimento alla specifica tipologia di esame.