ABSTRACT
Materials, components, and systems are all essential to creating resilient structural systems. Historical, materials have been used based on technologies of the time including an understanding of mathematics, physics, and engineering. Modest-strength materials, when assembled creatively can provide significant resistance to gravity and lateral loads. When intelligently placed, these materials can form structures that are even self-stabilizing during construction without the need for forming systems. Structural components designed for maximum life and performance can transform brittle structures into those with ductility where damage can be reduced when subjected to extreme loadings such as those created from seismicity. Structural systems can be comprised of multiple types of materials and can be assembled into efficient structures at all scales. New advancements in design include super-elastic materials that can be used to dissipate energy during seismic events and even provide self-centering of structures after strong ground motions.
Several building examples with be described and presented. These examples will be based on fundamental concepts of life-cycle engineering including ideas that help reduce embodied carbon through initial construction and long-term behavior. Ideas include structures that incorporate seismic isolation, friction fuse devices, and even new concepts using Shape Memory Aloys (SMA).
