Earthquake Dynamics of Structures, a Primer [Hardcover]

Anil K. Chopra (Author), Barbara Zeiders (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2005

This monograph is an updated and expanded edition of Chopra s classic primer from 1981, Dynamics of Structures. It provides the nonspecialist in dynamics of structures with the basic concepts and knowledge needed to understand the response of structures to earthquake excitation. It presents structural dynamics concepts and analysis procedures in elastic and inelastic response of structures that in one form or the other are utilized in design codes and seismic evaluations guidelines. Its three parts are composed of (1) Linearly Elastic Systems, (2) Inelastic Systems, and (3) Building Design Codes and Evaluation Guidelines. Part I presents a modern treatment of the dynamics of elastic systems. Part II is devoted to the dynamics of inelastic single-degree-of-freedom systems, response spectra for inelastic systems, inelastic design spectrum and its applications in the design of new structures, and safety evaluation of existing structures. It also is an introduction to the vast subject of inelastic analysis and response of multistory buildings. Part III presents the lateral forces specified in the 2003 International Building Code, together with their relationship to the structural dynamics concepts; pertinent comments on three other building codes are included. Part III also discusses selected aspects of computing seismic demands according to FEMA and ATC guidelines for evaluating existing buildings, in light of structural dynamics theory.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Anil K. Chopra is a professor of engineering in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. Professor Chopra's research activities have included studies of structural dynamics, various problems in earthquake analysis and design of buildings, dynamic soil-structure interaction, dynamic fluid-structure interaction, and earthquake analysis and design of concrete dams. He has authored more than 300 published papers on this work, including the monograph, Earthquake Dynamics of Structures, A Primer, 1981 and 2005; and a textbook, Earthquake Dynamics of Structures: Theory and Applications to Earthquake Engineering, 1995 and 2001.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 141 pages
• Publisher: Earthquake Engineering Research Institute; 2nd edition (August 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932884076
• ISBN-13: 978-1932884074
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #907,056 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars best way for an amateur to learn basics of earthquake structural dynamics, January 2, 2008

By 

John E. Vidale "conventional Earth scientist" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Earthquake Dynamics of Structures, a Primer (Hardcover)

After one too many question to the earthquake engineers, they unanimously pointed me toward this short book to get better acquainted with the engineering of structural response to earthquakes.

The book is a paragon of clarity - be sure to get the 2nd edition, it is an improvement over the now-obsolete 1st edition both in inclusion recent developments and in greater description of who did what to get to the state of the art.

I took off one star in annoyance at the completely black-and-white and crude illustrations (although it probably gets extra brownie points from real engineers), which made reading more of a chore, and contributed to the difficulty of reading more than a chapter at a time. To be fair, this book is exemplary in explaining a field rife with approximations, practical considerations, legal ramifications, and a very complex mechanics underpinning.

The next book in an education in this field is the more advanced book by Prof. Chopra, dynamics of structures, in which I've also invested, but haven't cracked open yet.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Earthquake Dynamics of Structures A Primer, October 14, 2007

By 

Djoni Simanta "book maven" (Indonesia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Earthquake Dynamics of Structures, a Primer (Hardcover)

This book is a summary of basic principles in Recent Earthquake Dynamics of Structures Theory for Linearly Elastic and Inelastic System, Structural Dynamics in Building Design Code and Building Evaluation Guidelines. The details can be founded in Dynamics of Structures: Theory and Applications to Earthquake Engineering by the same author. Very useful informations for practicing earthquake structural engineers.