Fall 2016 CEE-C137/C239: Elementary Structural Dynamics

Course Description

Basic structural dynamics course for civil engineering students. Elastic free and forced vibrations of single degree
of freedom systems, introduction to response history and response spectrum analysis approaches for single and
multi degree of freedom systems. Axial, bending, and torsional vibration of beams.

Textbook A. K. Chopra (2012), Dynamics of Structures: Theory and Applications to Earthquake

Engineering, 4th Edition, Prentice Hall. (recommended).

Other References W.E. Boyce, R.C. DiPrima (2001), Elementary differential equations and boundary value
problems, Wiley.
R. Clough and J. Penzien (1993), Dynamics of structures, McGraw-Hill.
J.S. Rao, K. Gupta (1984), Introductory course on theory and practice of mechanical
vibrations, Wiley.

Prerequisites CEE135B: Intermediate Structural Analysis

Course Schedule Check the CCLE regularly for new posted material

Instructor Elnaz Esmaeilzadeh

1304 Life Sci. Bldg. (LSB), Email: esmaeilzadeh@ucla.edu
Office Hours: M - W 2:00-3:00 PM.

Teaching Assistants Arastoo Dasmeh (weeks 1-6) Henan Mao (weeks 6-11)
adasmeh@ucla.edu, 1304 LSB maohenan@gmail.com, 2804 LSB
Office Hours (weeks 1-6): Tuesdays 9:00 - 10:00 AM, Thursdays 3:00 - 4:00 PM, 2804 LSB
Office Hours (weeks 6-11): TBA
Discussion Sessions: Friday, 4:00 - 6:00 PM, 5249 Boelter Hall

Course Website https://ccle.ucla.edu/course/view/16F-CEEC137-1

Grading Basis Homework Midterm Exam Final Exam

Class Logistics

The class is designed to cover basic theory and demonstration of concepts during lectures. Solved example
problems and homework assignments will reinforce the materials covered during lectures. The tentative list of
topics to be covered is listed below. The schedule is subject to change depending on time constraints. The course
will occasionally utilize MATLAB, when working on example problems and assignments. A basic primer on
MATLAB is available at the CourseWeb for downloads. MATLAB access is provided through SEASNet to all
enrolled students (note: If you wish to install MATLAB on your own computer, there is a student version available
for ~$100).
Handouts, assignments, homework solutions, etc., will be provided through the CourseWeb. Weekly homework
problem sets will be assigned as shown below. These assignments are designed to cement your basic
understanding of the principles covered in class. Due to limited lecture time, some ideas and applications may be
introduced in the homework assignments. For exams, it is your responsibility to know the material covered not only
in lectures, but in all assignments as well. Solutions are posted on the due date so no late homeworks are accepted.

Tentative Assignment Schedule

# Assignment Date Due Date

1 Wednesday, Sep 28 Wednesday, Oct 5

2 Wednesday, Oct 5 Wednesday, Oct 12

3 Wednesday, Oct 12 Wednesday, Oct 19

4 Wednesday, Oct 19 Wednesday, Oct 26

5 Wednesday, Oct 26 Wednesday, Nov 2

6 Wednesday, Nov 2 Wednesday, Nov 9

7 Wednesday, Nov 9 Wednesday, Nov 16

8 Wednesday, Nov 16 Wednesday, Nov 23

9 Wednesday, Nov 23 Wednesday, Nov 30

Course Topics
1. Mathematical Preliminaries
- Complex numbers, 1st & 2nd order ODEs (Classification, Linearity, Superposition Principle, Solution
Methods), [Boyce&DiPrima: Chapters 1, 2, 3]
2. Overview of Structural Dynamics
- A Brief History of Mechanics; Equations of Motion; Types of Loadings; Solution Methods [Chopra 1]
3. Single Degree of Freedom Systems
- Undamped and Viscously Damped Free Vibrations [Chopra 2]
- Response to Harmonic and Periodic Excitations (Fourier Series Solutions) [Chopra 3]
- Response to Step, Ramp, and Arbitrary Excitations (Duhamels Integral) [Chopra 4]
- Response to General Dynamic Loading Time-Stepping Methods (Programming) [Chopra 5]
4. Multi Degree of Freedom Systems
- Equations of Motion, Overview of Solution Methods [Chopra 9]
- Natural Vibration Frequencies and Modes; Free Vibrations [Chopra 10A, B]
- The Symmetric Algebraic Eigenvalue Problem [Chopra 10C]
- Characterization of Damping in Complex Structures [Chopra 11]
- Modal Superposition Methods (Programming) [Chopra 12]
- Time-Stepping Methods (Programming) [Chopra 16.1]
5. Introduction to Structural Response to Ground Motions (tentative)
- Earthquake Response of Linear Systems: Elastic Response and Design Spectra [Chopra 6, 13A, B]