State-of-the-art: shape memory alloys for monumental consolidation and base isolation

This paper is a state of the art of the experience gathered by the author on the use of shape memory alloys (SMAs) in civil engineering. Since 2005, efforts have been focused on the invention of a new concept of base isolation and the retrofitting of monuments. First, an innovative system consisting of several SMA bars of particular geometry was proposed. Its numerical model was built, realised and experimentally tested. It was concluded that for cyclic loading, a large amount of energy was dissipated. Then and following conclusions drawn from laboratory tests, SMA wires were inserted practically and numerically on a number of monuments: the aqueduct of Larnaca (Cyprus), the minaret of Ajloun (Jordan) and the minaret of Mansourah (Algeria). The monuments were reinforced with different SMA devices distributed over different positions. The proposed technique was proved as significant via the improvement seen in the dynamic response of monuments.