Sound Seismic Design is what stands between a building that protects its occupants during an earthquake and one that fails when it matters most, making it one of the most critical disciplines in structural engineering practice. This training course builds strong, practical competency in seismic design across both reinforced concrete and steel structures, grounding participants in the earthquake engineering principles that shape safe structural behavior under seismic loading.

Participants will strengthen their understanding of how ground motion affects structures and how to design for structural resilience rather than strength alone, recognizing that a resilient structure is one that can absorb and dissipate seismic energy without catastrophic failure. The course also builds practical fluency in applying relevant building codes to seismic design decisions, giving participants the technical and regulatory grounding needed to design safely in earthquake-prone regions.

This program is delivered by The British Academy for Training and Development through its Seismic Design of Reinforced Concrete and Steel Structures Training Course, designed to build strong, applicable seismic design capability for structural and civil engineers.

By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:

• Apply core principles of seismic design to reinforced concrete and steel structures
• Understand fundamental earthquake engineering concepts and ground motion behavior
• Design structures for ductility, energy dissipation, and structural resilience
• Apply seismic detailing requirements to reinforced concrete elements
• Apply seismic detailing requirements to steel structural elements
• Interpret and apply relevant building codes for seismic regions
• Evaluate structural irregularities and their impact on seismic performance
• Apply seismic design principles to real structural engineering projects

Target Group

• Structural and civil engineers working in seismic regions
• Design engineers involved in reinforced concrete and steel structures
• Structural engineers responsible for code compliance and safety
• Consultants and design reviewers on seismic design projects
• Engineers advancing their expertise in earthquake-resistant design

Foundations of Seismic Design

• Principles of seismic design in structural engineering
• The role of seismic design within overall structural safety
• Overview of seismic design philosophy and objectives

Earthquake Engineering Fundamentals

• Understanding ground motion and seismic hazard
• Dynamic response of structures to earthquake loading
• Key parameters influencing seismic structural behavior

Structural Resilience

• Designing for ductility and energy dissipation
• Balancing strength, stiffness, and resilience in design
• Structural systems that enhance seismic performance

Seismic Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures

• Seismic detailing requirements for concrete elements
• Designing ductile beams, columns, and shear walls
• Common seismic design pitfalls in concrete structures

Seismic Design of Steel Structures

• Seismic detailing requirements for steel elements
• Designing ductile steel connections and frames
• Common seismic design pitfalls in steel structures

Building Codes and Seismic Compliance

• Overview of relevant building codes for seismic design
• Applying code requirements to real design scenarios
• Documentation and compliance verification

Practical Application

• Case studies in seismic design of concrete and steel structures
• Hands-on exercises applying seismic detailing principles
• Lessons learned from real seismic design projects