When an earthquake strikes, the difference between a building that stays standing and one that doesn't often comes down to decisions made years earlier at the design stage. This training course gives structural and civil engineers the practical grounding needed to design — and assess — reinforced concrete and steel buildings that perform safely under seismic loading.

The programme moves from the physics of ground motion and structural dynamics through seismic load analysis, ductile detailing for both reinforced concrete and steel systems, and the codes that govern earthquake-resistant construction. It closes with performance-based design thinking and practical approaches to assessing and retrofitting existing buildings.

Delivered by Arab British Fellowship Training Academy as part of its Construction and Civil Engineering Training Course specialisation, the Earthquake-Resistant Design of Concrete and Steel Buildings Training Course builds the technical judgement engineers need to improve structural resilience on real projects.

This course enables participants to:

• Understand earthquake characteristics, ground motion, and structural dynamics fundamentals
• Determine seismic design forces using static and dynamic analysis methods
• Apply seismic design and ductile detailing to reinforced concrete beams, columns, and walls
• Design steel moment-resisting and braced frames with ductile connections for seismic loading
• Interpret building codes, seismic hazard classification, and drift limits
• Apply performance-based design and structural resilience principles
• Assess existing structures for seismic vulnerabilities and select retrofitting strategies

Target Audience

• Civil and structural engineers, construction and design engineers
• Structural design consultants and architects involved in structural coordination
• Project and construction managers, building and infrastructure professionals
• Professionals responsible for structural assessment and rehabilitation
• Government and regulatory engineers seeking advanced knowledge of earthquake engineering

Module 1: When the Ground Moves: Fundamentals of Seismic Design

• Earthquake characteristics and ground motion
• Seismic hazards and structural response
• Structural safety and performance objectives
• Introduction to seismic structural systems

Module 2: Structural Dynamics and Seismic Load Analysis

• Natural period, frequency, and damping
• Single- and multi-degree-of-freedom systems
• Response spectra and equivalent lateral force procedures
• Modal response spectrum analysis and load combinations

Module 3: Seismic Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures

• Behaviour of reinforced concrete during earthquakes
• Seismic design of beams, columns, slabs, and shear walls
• Ductility requirements and reinforcement detailing
• Common reinforced concrete seismic deficiencies

Module 4: Seismic Design of Steel Structures

• Behaviour of steel structures under earthquake loading
• Moment-resisting and braced frames, concentric and eccentric bracing
• Ductile connections and energy dissipation considerations

Module 5: Codes, Resilience and Performance-Based Design

• International seismic building codes and hazard classification
• Drift and deformation limits, code compliance verification
• Performance-based design, structural redundancy, and robustness

Module 6: Assessing and Retrofitting Existing Structures

• Assessment of existing structures and seismic vulnerabilities
• Structural strengthening and retrofitting techniques
• Practical seismic design case studies and calculation review