565.731.81 - Structural Dynamics

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Modules on the navigation menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, and assignments. You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. Modules run for a period of seven (7) days. You should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates.

Course Topics

• Introduction and Equation of Motion for Single-Degree of Freedom Systems
  
• Free Vibration of Single-Degree of Freedom Systems
  
• Harmonic Response of Single-Degree of Freedom Systems - Theory
  
• Harmonic Response of Single-Degree of Freedom Systems - Applications
  
• Response of Single-Degree of Freedom Systems to Arbitrary and Ramp Forces
  
• Response of Single-Degree of Freedom Systems to Pulse Excitations
  
• Response of Single-Degree of Freedom Systems to Periodic Loading
  
• Numerical Evaluation of Dynamic Response
  
• Earthquake Response of Linear Elastic Single-Degree of Freedom Systems
  
• Vibration of Continuous Systems
  
• Modeling and Equations of Motion of Multi-Degree of Freedom Systems
  
• Free Vibration of Multi-Degree of Freedom Systems
  
• Dynamic Analysis of Multi-Degree of Freedom Systems
  
• Earthquake Response of Linear Elastic Systems
  

Course Goals

Analyze single-and multi-degree of structural systems under time-varying dynamic loads. 

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Develop the equations of motion for single-and multi-degree of freedom systems
• Understand the dynamic characteristics of engineering structure
• Determine the dynamic response of singe- and multi-degree of freedom systems under harmonic loading
• Determine the dynamic response of single- and multi-degree of freedom systems under arbitrary and earthquake excitations
• Select appropriate methods to analyze single- and multi-degree of freedom systems under dynamic loading conditions

Textbooks

Chopra, A. K., (2016). Dynamics of structures (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

ISBN-13: 978-0134555126

ISBN-10: 0134555120

Textbook information for this course is available online through the appropriate bookstore website: For online courses, search the BNC Virtual Bookstore

Required Software

To complete certain assignments and the term project you will need to develop a computer code in a language of your choice or a spreadsheet.

If you choose you use MATLAB, the MATLAB Total Academic Headcount (TAH) license is now in effect. This license is provided at no cost to you. Send an email to software@jhu.edu to request your license file/code. Please indicate that you need a standalone file/code. You will need to provide your first and last name, as well as your Hopkins email address. You will receive an email from Mathworks with instructions to create a Mathworks account. The MATLAB software will be available for download from the Mathworks site.

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each module will take approximately 7–10 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading the assigned sections of the texts (approximately 3–4 hours per week), listening to the audio annotated slide presentations (approximately 2–3 hours per week), and writing assignments (approximately 2–3 hours per week).

This course will consist of the following basic student requirements:

Assignments (30% of Final Grade Calculation)

Assignments will include quantitative problem sets. Include a cover sheet with your name and assignment identifier. Also include your name and a page number indicator (i.e., page x of y) on each page of your submissions. Each problem should have the problem statement, assumptions, computations, and conclusions/discussion delineated as indicated in the problem set. All Figures and Tables should be captioned and labeled appropriately.

All assignments are due according to the dates in the Calendar. Each Module Assignment will be worth a total of 100 points, divided among the problems in each set depending on their length and/or difficulty. Problems will be graded for both accuracy and completeness. All work must be shown to earn full credit. Solutions without justification will be not be considered complete and the grade will be adjusted down accordingly. Additionally, all work must be fully legible.

Late submissions will be reduced by one letter grade for each week late (no exceptions without prior coordination with the instructors).

If, after submitting a written assignment you are not satisfied with the grade received, you are encouraged to redo the assignment and resubmit it. If the resubmission results in a better grade, that grade will be substituted for the previous grade.

Course Project (30% of Final Grade Calculation)

A course project will be assigned Module 5. Part 1 will be due in Module 9 and Part 2 will be due in Module 13. The Project will focus on the dynamic response SDOF of structures under blast loading. You will develop idealized mechanical models, write computer codes, produce solutions, plot response histories, and asses the error. Refer to the Course Project Instructions and Rubric document for specific instructions.

 This Project will be graded out of 100 points, according to the rubric in the Course Project Instructions and Rubric document.

Exams (40% of Final Grade Calculation, combined from 20% for Midterm and 20% for Final)

The Midterm Exam will be available in Module 7 and the Final Exam will be available in Module 14. You will have 3 hours to complete each exam and you must complete it before the end of the module.

The points assigned to each problem will vary based on the difficulty of the question, but the exams will each be worth 100 points.

Grading Policy

Assignments are due according to the dates posted in your Canvas course site. You may check these due dates in the Course Calendar or the Assignments in the corresponding modules. I will post grades one week after assignment due dates. I do not directly grade spelling, grammar and neatness. However, it is expected that you communicate your solutions clearly and concisely.

A grade of A indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week.

A grade of B indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work. These criteria apply to both undergraduates and graduate students taking the course.

100–98 = A+

97–94 = A

93–90 = A−

89–87 = B+

86–83 = B

82–80 = B−

79–70 = C

<70 = F

Final grades will be determined by the following weighting:

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.