Earthquake Excitation for SDOF System

When analysing a system’s response under earthquake excitation, we often make use of the ground acceleration data recorded from previous seismic event. The dynamic response of a damped SDOF system under such loading can be determined by using Duhamel’s integral.

When conducting structural design for building susceptible to earthquake excitation, peak design values are often used. Other than using the Duhamel’s integral, response spectra for certain seismic event may be developed, and from here the design values can be determined. After knowing the peak ground displacement, base shear acting on the structure may be calculated.

The following shows the derivation of solution for SDOF system under earthquake excitation. Watch the video above for full details.