Distinguished Webinar Series in Earthquake Engineering and Seismology
Organized by the Canadian Association of Earthquake Engineering
Application of Shape Memory Alloys in Earthquake Engineering
Wednesday, December 7, 2022, 3:00 p.m. EDT
Registration Link: Zoom Webinar
Abstract
Shape memory alloy (SMA) is a special kind of material that can undergo large deformations and return to its undeformed shape through stress removal (superelasticity) or heating (shape memory effect). Realizing their enormous potential in the engineering field, SMAs have been successfully implemented in automotive industries, biomedical devices, household appliances, etc. SMA’s distinct thermomechanical properties and flag-shaped hysteresis also make SMA an ideal contender for the development and design of various structural components for civil infrastructures. Their performances are expected to supersede conventional structures against seismic hazards as they can potentially recover their deformation even after repeated cycles of large deformation. This presentation will showcase various applications of SMA in structural components and systems. For example, different types of SMAs are available in the market (e.g., Ni-Ti, Cu- and Fe-based SMAs) and in various forms (e.g., wires, round bars, plates, cables, etc). SMAs have been used as reinforcement in structural elements (e.g., columns, beam-column joints), and the development of kernel components for seismic devices such as bracings, dampers, and isolators in both new design and construction as well as in deficient infrastructure for repair/retrofit. This presentation will review selected past efforts that have contributed to the enhancement of seismic resilience for buildings and bridges by utilizing SMAs, and outline some of the technical and non-technical issues that need to be addressed in the future. Although the high cost of SMAs is still limiting their wide use, research investigating their production and processing will make them more cost-competitive. It is expected that SMAs will emerge as an essential material in the construction industry in near future to build more resilient civil infrastructure.
Dr. Shahria Alam, Ph.D., P.Eng., UBC Professor,
Tier-1 Principal’s Research Chair in Resilient & Green Infrastructure,
Director, Green Construction Research & Training Center (GCRTC)
The University of British Columbia | Okanagan
Email: shahria.alam@ubc.ca
Short Bio: Dr. Shahria Alam is a Full Professor of Civil Engineering and the Tier-1 Principal’s Research Chair in Resilient & Green Infrastructure in the School of Engineering at The University of British Columbia (UBC)’s Okanagan campus. He is serving as the Director of the Green Construction Research & Training Center (GCRTC) at UBC. Dr. Alam is the Vice-President (Technical Program) of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE). He is the Chair of the Engineering Mechanics and Materials Division CSCE. He received his PhD in Civil Engineering from Western University in 2008. His research interests include smart and recycled materials and their structural engineering applications. He has published more than 300 peer-reviewed articles in these areas.
Dr. Alam is recognized nationally and internationally for his work in the application of shape memory alloys in earthquake engineering.