Civil Engineering and ConstructionSeismic and Dynamic Analysis of Structures
Floors that bounce under footfall, machine bases that resonate and buildings in earthquake zones share one cause: a structure answering a load that changes with time. This course builds the dynamics needed to predict that answer. Delegates start with the oscillator, a single mass on a spring, and its natural frequency, damping and resonance, then progress to models with many modes and modal superposition. Earthquake loading is treated through response spectra, the equivalent lateral force method and the seismic provisions of SANS 10160 and Eurocode 8, with attention to the East African Rift and to tremors induced by mining in South Africa. Ductility, capacity design and irregularity are explained as design choices. Vibration serviceability for floors, footbridges and plant supports completes the programme. Delegates leave able to run, check and interpret a dynamic analysis.
Course objectives
- Calculate natural frequency and damped response of a simple oscillator
- Explain resonance and dynamic amplification under harmonic and impulsive loads
- Perform modal analysis and combine modal responses for multi storey structures
- Apply response spectrum and equivalent lateral force methods to SANS 10160 and Eurocode 8
- Evaluate regional seismic hazard including rift zone and mining induced events
- Apply ductility, capacity design and regularity principles to lateral force systems
- Assess floors, footbridges and machine foundations for vibration serviceability
Who should attend
- Structural engineers designing buildings and industrial structures
- Engineers designing machine foundations and equipment supports
- Bridge and footbridge designers
- Engineers working in seismically active East African countries
- Mining structural engineers dealing with induced tremors
Course outline
- 01The single mass oscillator
- 02Damping, resonance and dynamic amplification
- 03Multiple modes and modal superposition
- 04Seismic hazard in the African context
- 05Response spectra and equivalent lateral force
- 06Ductility, capacity design and irregularity
- 07Code provisions in SANS 10160 and Eurocode 8
- 08Floor, footbridge and machine vibration
Scheduled sessions
| Dates | Venue | Format | Price | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 to 16 October 2026 | Accra, Ghana | Classroom | USD 1,325 per delegate | |
| 26 to 30 October 2026 | Online | Online | R8,500 per delegate | |
| 7 to 11 December 2026 | Gaborone, Botswana | Classroom | R19,950 per delegate | |
| 21 to 25 December 2026 | Cape Town, South Africa | Classroom | R19,950 per delegate | |
| 18 to 22 January 2027 | Durban, South Africa | Classroom | R19,950 per delegate |
Seismic and Dynamic Analysis of Structures
From R8,500