CIVIL 745 : Seismic Assessment of Existing Buildings

Engineering

2022 Semester Two (1225) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Principles of assessing the response of buildings to earthquakes and identification of vulnerabilities for different building types. Example buildings will be assessed using these advanced methodologies and independent research conducted on appropriate forms of retrofit.

Course Overview

This course will introduce students to advanced concepts of performance-based earthquake engineering and their applications to detailed seismic assessment of existing masonry and concrete buildings. 

Following closely the NZ Seismic Assessment Guidelines, and using examples of structural failures from past earthquakes and laboratory testing, students will learn how to identify critical vulnerabilities for a range of existing building types. Students will apply concepts learned in class to the seismic assessment of real buildings. Students are expected to have some knowledge on the fundamentals of reinforced concrete structural design.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Conduct a seismic assessment of an existing building, from initial evaluation to detailed assessment (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
  2. Model the seismic response of existing buildings (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 5)
  3. Identify and evaluate critical vulnerabilities and assess strength and deformation capacities for components of existing masonry and concrete buildings (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 5)
  4. Consider the uncertainties in seismic response and capacity in the assessment of existing buildings. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
  5. Apply theoretical concepts taught in class to a real building. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
URM Quizzes 10% Individual Test
URM Project 40% Individual Coursework
RC Quizzes 10% Individual Test
RC Assignments 20% Individual Coursework
RC Project 20% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
URM Quizzes
URM Project
RC Quizzes
RC Assignments
RC Project
This course is divided into two equal halves, with the first half of the course focussed on UnReinforced Masonry (URM) buildings and the second half of the course focussed on Reinforced Concrete (RC) buildings. 50% of the course grades are assigned to URM and 50% of the course grades are assigned to RC. Students must demonstrate satisfactory understanding in each of the two halves of the course. The total grade is the sum of the two scores.

To pass the course, it is necessary to achieve at least 25% (half of 50%) in each of the two halves of the course.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 3 hours of lectures, 2 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 5 hours of work on assignments and/or quiz preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities will be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Health & Safety

Subject to lockdown limitations, it is expected that students will undertake a site inspection of an actual URM building in their home city. A Risk Assessment is required for the visit, and the appropriate Health and Safety protocols will be discussed in class.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 25/12/2021 11:31 a.m.