2026 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Environment and Society Undergraduate major in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Structural Dynamics in Civil Engineering
- Academic unit or major
- Undergraduate major in Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Takashi Miyamoto
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - Class
- -
- Course Code
- CVE.A210
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2026
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 5, 2026
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
Through an understanding of single-degree-of-freedom systems, multi-degree-of-freedom systems, and beam models as physical representations of structures, as well as the processes for deriving their governing equations and solutions, students acquire fundamental insights into dynamics and deepen their understanding of applied mathematical approaches in engineering in general. In addition, by studying the engineering applications of vibration theory, they gain an understanding of the role and significance of vibration theory within civil engineering.
Course description and aims
The objective of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the dynamic response of structures to seismic ground motion, which forms the foundation of seismic design, and to equip them with the fundamental knowledge required for earthquake-resistant design, an area of critical importance in seismically active Japan. As specific learning outcomes, students are expected to acquire an understanding of the following topics:
1. Fourier transforms
2. Vibration of single-degree-of-freedom systems
3. Dynamic Response of multi-degree-of-freedom systems
4. Dynamic Response of beams
5. Engineering applications of vibration theory: identification of dynamic properties and response spectra, earthquake-resistant design
Keywords
dynamic response, one degree-of-freedom (1DOF) system, multi degree-of-freedom (MDOF) system, beam, engineering application
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
The lectures will be conducted primarily using blackboard instruction. To facilitate understanding of the lecture content, exercise problems will be addressed during class time.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Fourier transform and Function Space |
The definition and computation of the Fourier transform, and basis expansion in function spaces |
| Class 2 | Free vibration of one degree-of-freedom (1DOF) system with damping |
Derivation of the equation of motion for a damped single-degree-of-freedom system and derivation of its free-vibration solution |
| Class 3 | Forced vibration of one degree-of-freedom (1DOF) system with damping |
Derivation of the forced-vibration solution for a damped single-degree-of-freedom system |
| Class 4 | Dynamic response of multi degree-of-freedom (MDOF) system |
Solution for the equations of motion of multi-degree-of-freedom systems and understanding of the concept of modes |
| Class 5 | Dynamic response of beams |
Derivation of the equation of motion for free vibration of beams and its solution methods, as well as the introduction of damping and its characteristics |
| Class 6 | Engineering applications of vibration theory 1 |
Estimation of structural dynamic properties from measured data, and the definition and use of response spectra |
| Class 7 | Engineering applications of vibration theory 2 |
Understanding the basic concepts of seismic design methods and illustrative examples |
| Class 8 | final exam |
assessment of students' knowledge |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to course materials.
Textbook(s)
No textbook is assigned. Necessary documents will provided during the class.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Documents will provided during the class.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Evaluation will be based 100% on the final examination.
Related courses
- CVE.N330 ： Structural Mechanics and Hydraulics Laboratory II
- CVE.M201 ： Basic Mathematics for Physical Science
- CVE.A202 ： Structural Mechanics I
- CVE.A301 ： Structural Mechanics II
Prerequisites
Basic Mathematics for Physical Science is strongly required.