MASTER PROGRAMME

HUAZHONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

From: Phearum Eng (Mr.)
Proposed Study: Structural Engineering
Proposed Research: Seismic Analysis of Structure
To: Faculty of Civil Engineering, HUAZHONG UNIVERSITY
SCINCE &TECHNOLOGY.

During my training degree in civil engineering at Norton University , I was

introduced to some improtant major courses such in civil engineering. These
couses I studied reinforcement concrete ,structural steel design, mechaniscs of
materials, structural analysis, soil mechanics and foundation design,construction
technology, as well as structural analysis and design programme (Autodesk Robot
Structural Analysis, CSI Etabs, Plaxis 2D, Sap2000). Being a student in
University, i really was interested in structural steel design course.These courses
provided me a lot of knowledge to understand the principles of the engineering.
And it also provided me some fantastic opportunities to get involved with exciting
research about High rise buidling and modern inducstrial construction. I am
basically interested in Structural steel systeme of high rise building in my masters
program.

Seismic is a subset of structural analysis and is the calculation of the response of

a building (or non-building) structure to earthquakes. It is part of the process
of structural design, earthquake engineering or structural assessment and
retrofit (see structural engineering) in regions where earthquakes are prevalent.
a building has the potential to 'wave' back and forth during an earthquake (or even
a severe wind storm). This is called the 'fundamental mode', and is the
lowest frequency of building response. Most buildings, however, have higher
modes of response, which are uniquely activated during earthquakes.
Earthquake engineering has developed a lot since the early days, and some of the
more complex designs now use special earthquake protective elements either just
in the foundation (base isolation) or distributed throughout the structure.
Analyzing these types of structures requires specialized explicit finite element
computer code, which divides time into very small slices and models the
actual physics, much like common video games often have "physics engines". Very
large and complex buildings can be modeled in this way (such as the Osaka
International Convention Center).
Structural analysis methods can be divided into the following five categories.
 1. Equivalent static analysis: This approach defined a series of forces acting
on a building to represent the effect of earthquake ground motion,
typically defined by a seismic design response spectrum. It assumes that
the building responds in its fundamental mode. The response is read from
a design response spectrum, given the natural frequency of the building
(either calculated or defined by the building code).

2. Response spectrum analysis: This approach the multiple modes of

response of a building to be taken into account (in the frequency domain).
This is required in many building codes for all except very simple or very
complex structures. The response of a structure canbe defined as a
combination of many special shapes (modes) that in vibrating string
correspond to the “harmonics”. Computer analysis can be used to
determine these modes for a structure. A response is read from the design
spectrum, based on the modal frequency and the modal mass, and they are
then combined to provide an estimate of the total response of the
structure. Combination methods include the following:
 Peak values are added together
 Square root of the sum of the square
 Complete quadratic combination
3. Linear dynamic analysis: In linear dynamic analysis, the response of the
structure to ground motion is calculated in the time domain, and
all phase information is therefore maintained. Only linear properties are assumed.
The analytical method can use modal decomposition as a means of reducing the
degrees of freedom in the analysis.
4. Non-linear analysis: In non-linear dynamic analysis, the non-linear properties of
the structure are considered as part of a time domain analysis. This approach is the
most rigorous, and is required by some building codes for buildings of unusual
configuration or of special importance. However, the calculated response can be very
sensitive to the characteristics of the individual ground motion used as seismic input;
therefore, several analyses are required using different ground motion records to
achieve a reliable estimation of the probabilistic distribution of structural response.
Since the properties of the seismic response depend on the intensity, or severity, of
the seismic shaking, a comprehensive assessment calls for numerous nonlinear
dynamic analyses at various levels of intensity to represent different possible
earthquake scenario

My career goal in to acquire the necessary training that will put me at the
forefront of research and innovation in the steel construction industry and also
provide me requiring basics to further pursue a doctorate degree . I would like to
play a major role in civil and steel construction business. Considering the major
industry and construction development business asocial the world. I would like to
be part of it and contribute to the safety and development of man-made
infrastructure. This would provide a basic and detailed structural module for
safety and reliability of structural civil engineering. I am confident that a master
research thesis in steel structures would be valuable in the field of civil and
industrial construction.

With my academic background, experience and motivation, please consider if

I am right for the master’s program in structural engineering. Please feel to
contact me with my email: phearumengcivil@gmail.com. In conclusion, I am
looking forward to your favorable consideration and I look forward to your reply.
Regards,

Phearum Eng