Educational computer program for simulating behavior of structures under dynamic loads

Saudi Arabia has constructed many universities in the last decade. Civil, mechanical, and mining engineering departments have courses deal with dynamics and vibrations. Dynamics and vibrations are yet extremely complex subjects and demand costly laboratory resources. Since the faculties of engineering in these universities are new, there are no laboratories for dynamics and vibrations yet. It was obvious that, without laboratory work, the students were not able to understand the nature of dynamic behavior. Therefore, students' results were frustrating in the first semester when these courses were taught. The authors suggested another facility to be replaced instead of the laboratory. The idea was to simulate the performance of elements under dynamic loads, virtually, using computer software. Hence, this software was developed to demonstrate the response of structures subjected to dynamic loads and earthquakes. This software helped students to understand the nature of dynamic loads and their effects on bodies. The final results of students and their grades were improved comparing with their results without this suggested software. Dynamics topics covered by the software and its components are illustrated in the paper. This software has proved its capability to improve teaching of dynamics and earthquake engineering. The software is also a helpful tool for making any parametric studies consuming long times of repetitive calculations.