Module  1: Code  Compliance & Regulatory Framework

Classes: 6 | Total Hours: 12

Class 1: Overview of International Codes

•Introduces ACI 318, ASCE 7, and IBC, covering their history, evolution, and scope.

•Explains the relationship between building codes and safety/performance in high-rise design.

•Discusses how these codes are used in practice by engineers globally.

Class 2: ACI 318-19 & ACI 318-25 Deep Dive

•   Explores structural safety provisions, load combinations, and ductility requirements.

•   Highlights change from ACI 318-19 to ACI 318-25 with practical implications for design.

•   Covers shear, moment, axial, and reinforcement provisions in high-rise members.

Class 3: ASCE 7-16: Load Standards

•   Detailed explanation of seismic and wind load procedures per ASCE 7-16.

•   Emphasis on equivalent static force, response spectrum, and wind speed maps.

•   Application examples using ETABS and simplified hand calculations.

Class 4: IBC (2000–2021): Practical Use

•   Discusses building classifications, occupancy types, height limitations, and fire ratings.

•   Reviews case studies of how IBC constraints influence architectural and structural layouts.

•   Guidance on preparing design documents for code compliance.

Class 5: Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Ras Al Khaimah Building Codes

•   Presents regional requirements with a focus on seismic, wind, and geotechnical clauses.

•   Explains the authority approval process in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

•   Comparison of DBC with IBC and Ras Al Khaimah code provisions.

Class 6: Trakhees Grey Code & Multi-Code Strategy

•   Reviews unique Trakhees clauses on transfer slabs, pile caps, podiums, and deep foundations.

•   Discusses managing complex projects governed by multiple codes simultaneously.

•   Case studies of mixed-use towers using dual or blended code compliance strategies.

Module  2: Structural  Systems  &  Design Fundamentals:

Classes: 4 | Total Hours: 8

Class 10: Tall Building Structural Systems

•   Explains the role and behavior of different systems: shear walls, core walls, outrigger, diagrid, tube-in-tube.

•   Conceptual load paths from roof to foundation.

•   Sketching and understanding structural scheme selection based on architectural needs.

Class 11: Mechanics Refresher

•   Covers bending moment, axial load, shear, and torsion basics with real building examples.

•   Illustrates the concept of equilibrium and compatibility in structural elements.

•   Includes short manual design exercises for beams, columns, and walls.

Class 12: Load Estimation

•   Introduces dead, live, superimposed dead, and environmental loads.

•   Walkthrough of ASCE 7 live load reduction and seismic base shear estimation.

•   Manual load-take-off for simple structural elements.

Class 13: Drift Control & Redundancy

•   Defines drift and story displacement per ASCE 7 and IBC.

•   Explains serviceability vs strength-level design checks.

•   Provides comparative examples between mid-rise and tall buildings and design adjustments.

 Module 3: Material Behaviour,  Construction Effects  & Geotechnics: 

Classes: 5 | Total Hours: 10

Class 14: Advanced Concrete & Steel for Tall Structures

•   Behaviour of high-strength concrete and steel under sustained loads and fire.

•   Shrinkage, creep, and cracking control.

•   Materials selection strategy for strength and durability.

Class 15: Column Shortening & Time-Dependent Effects

•   Differentiation between elastic and inelastic shortening.

•   Shortening in core walls, columns, and shear walls.

•   Software-based and manual checks for core wall uplift and slab mismatches.

Class 16: Geotechnical Engineering for Structural Designers

•   Basics of soil classification, site investigation interpretation, and critical parameters.

•   Application of soil mechanics to structural design: bearing capacity, settlement control.

•   Use of geotechnical reports in structural modeling.

Class 17: Foundation Systems Overview

•   Comparative analysis: isolated footings, mat foundation, pile foundation, piled-raft.

•   Foundation selection criteria based on load, soil, and site constraints.

•   Safe punching shear checks and subgrade modulus modeling in SAFE.

Class 18: Substructure QA/QC and Case Practices

•   Foundation construction monitoring: pile integrity, raft casting, rebar inspection.

•   Documentation, redlines, and review of real project QA/QC checklists.

•   Sample foundation drawings and reports from high-rise projects.

Module 4: CSI  S oftware Simulation  –  ETABS , SAFE  etc: 

Classes: 5 | Total Hours: 10

Class 19: ETABS Fundamentals

•   Project setup, grid and story generation, section definitions, and material assignments.

•   Load assignment techniques and floor diaphragm setup.

•   Walkthrough of a 20-story residential core-wall building.

Class 20: Advanced ETABS Modelling

•   Modelling of outriggers, transfer beams, and coupling beams with proper boundary conditions.

•   Handling stiffness modifiers and cracked section behaviour.

•   Real-time modelling of a 40+ story mixed-use tower.

Class 21: Seismic/Wind Load Integration in ETABS

•   Setup of seismic parameters using UBC, IBC, and ASCE 7.

•   Application of response spectrum, base shear scale factor.

•   Wind loading using ASCE 7-16 and wind tunnel data.

Class 22: SAFE for Foundation Design

•   Introduction to SAFE modeling environment.

•   Design of raft and pile-supported raft foundation using soil subgrade properties.

•   Checks for punching shear, uplift, and long-term settlement.

Class 23: Perform3D for PBD

•   Nonlinear modeling, hinge assignment, and pushover analysis.

•   Development of capacity curves and performance points.

•   Evaluation of structure against ASCE 41 performance objectives.

Module  5: Structural  Detailing, Stability  & Special  Systems: 

Classes: 4 | Total Hours: 8

Class 24: Reinforced Concrete Member Design (ACI)

•   Slab detailing techniques for large spans and heavy loads.

•   Wall detailing limits for reinforcement spacing and development length.

•   Critical checks for wall toe crushing and vertical cracking.

Class 25: Outriggers, Belt Truss & Transfer Systems

•   Functions of outrigger systems in drift reduction and stability.

•   Stiffness optimization between belt truss and outrigger.

•   Design walkthroughs and ETABS model validations.

Class 26: Serviceability & Comfort Criteria

•   Evaluation of lateral and vertical deflection, inter-story drift, and human comfort.

•   Vibration and acceleration limits for floor systems.

•   Case examples of buildings with serviceability violations.

Class 27: Irregularities and Structural Safety

•   Soft story, torsion irregularity, weak story identification.

•   Code provisions and design solutions for irregularities.

•   Practical detailing and strengthening approaches.

Module 6: Case Studies & Caps tone Tower Project:

Classes: 3 | Total Hours: 6

Class 28: Iconic Tall Building Case Studies

•   Design review of Burj Khalifa, Jeddah Tower, ADNOC HQ, Marina 101 etc.

•   Challenges in construction sequence, core wall systems, and lateral stability.

•   Lessons learned in load transfer, geotechnical integration, and detailing.

Class 29: Design of User Project (50+ Story Tower)

•   Walkthrough by instructor of a sample 50+ story tower project.

•   Participants begin guided modelling of their capstone project.

•   Focus on code application, system layout, and loading strategy.

Class 30: Capstone Presentation + Final QA Review

•   Group project presentations with ETABS/SAFE models.

•   Peer and instructor critique, discussion on improvements.

•   Summary of learning outcomes and feedback session.

Module  7: Composite Element  Design  in  High -Rise Towers: 

Classes: 3 | Total Hours: 6

Class 31: Introduction to Composite Structures in High-Rise Design

•   Basic theory of composite action (steel-concrete interaction).

•   Advantages in tall buildings: reduced self-weight, faster erection, and better performance.

•   Common applications: composite decks, columns, core walls.

•   Code references: ACI 318, AISC, Eurocode 4, BS 5950.

•   Case study from Dubai tower using composite metal deck system.

Class 32: Design of Composite Beams and Deck Slabs

•   Load transfer mechanism under gravity and lateral loads.

•   Shear connectors, slab ribs, effective width, fire resistance.

•   Manual and software-based design of composite beams and decks.

•   Modelling in ETABS/SAFE and stud design checks.

Class 33: Composite Columns and Core Walls in Tall Buildings

•   Types: encased, filled, and steel core with concrete cladding.

•   Design for axial + biaxial bending and local/global buckling.

•   Composite shear walls and their use in performance-based design.

•   Comparison of RCC vs composite core wall systems.

•   Real project case: steel plate composite shear walls in seismic tower.

Deliverables:

•   CSI ETABS and SAFE models of tower structure

•   Design reports with code references

•   Detail sheets of foundations, cores, outriggers

Tools Required: ETABS, SAFE etc.

Prerequisites: B.Sc. Civil or Structural Engineering; experience in basic design practices.