Recent earthquake damage has exposed the vulnerability of existing structures to strong ground movement. At the Georgia Institute of Technology, researchers are analyzing shape-memory alloys for their potential use in constructing seismic-resistant structures.

“Shape-memory alloys exhibit unique characteristics that you would want for earthquake-resistant building and bridge design and retrofit applications,” says Reginald DesRoches, a professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Georgia Tech. They have the ability to dissipate significant energy without significant degradation or permanent deformation,” says Reginald DesRoches, a professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Georgia Tech.

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