JNAFAU SCHOOL OF PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE

Mahaveer Marg, Hyderabad – 500028

DEPARTMENT OF FACILITIES AND SERVICES PLANNING

THESIS SYNOPSIS

1. "Smart Structures: Advancing Materials for Seismic

Resilience in Building Construction"

FSP 8THSEM

SUBMITTED TO: - SUBMITTED BY:

Ms. J Chaitanya D. Bharath {20011BB003}

 2. "Smart Structures: Advancing Materials for Seismic Resilience
in Building Construction"

AIM:

To investigate the application of smart materials and innovative design

strategies to enhance seismic resilience in building structures.

Objectives

 To explore the use of smart building technologies, such as structural

health monitoring, real-time data analysis, and intelligent emergency
systems, to improve seismic resilience.
 To examine the development of innovative materials, such as self-healing
concrete and engineered composites, to improve structural durability and
adaptability in seismic zones.
 To identify the challenges and barriers to implementing resilient building
design and propose solutions to overcome these obstacles.

SCOPE OF THE THESIS :

Methodology:

Several standards and codes govern the use of advanced materials in seismic-
resilient building construction. Here are some of the key ones:
1. Building Codes: Building codes provide regulations and standards for the
design, construction, and maintenance of buildings to ensure their safety and
resilience against seismic events. In the United States, the International
Building Code (IBC) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 7
standards are commonly followed for seismic design requirements.

2. Material Standards: Standards organizations like ASTM International

develop and publish standards for various construction materials. For example,
ASTM has standards for concrete, steel, masonry, and other materials used in
building construction. These standards specify material properties, testing
methods, and performance criteria relevant to seismic resilience.

3. Seismic Design Standards: Specific standards address seismic design

considerations and requirements. For instance, ASCE/SEI 41, "Seismic
Evaluation and Retrofit of Existing Buildings," provides guidelines for
assessing and retrofitting existing buildings for seismic resilience. ASCE also
publishes standards like ASCE/SEI 7, "Minimum Design Loads and Associated
Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures," which includes seismic design
provisions.

4. International Standards: Organizations like the International Organization for

Standardization (ISO) develop international standards applicable to seismic-
resilient construction. ISO standards may cover performance-based seismic
design, testing methods for seismic evaluation of materials, and seismic
retrofitting techniques.

5. Material Performance Evaluation Standards: Standards related to material

performance evaluation, such as durability, strength, and ductility under seismic
loading, are essential for selecting appropriate materials for seismic-resilient
construction. These standards may be developed by organizations like ASTM,
the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), or national standards
bodies.

6. Local Building Regulations: Local governments often establish additional

regulations or amendments to national or international codes to address specific
seismic hazards and local building practices. It's essential to comply with these
regulations and broader codes and standards.

7. Research Guidelines: While not regulatory standards, guidelines published

by research organizations and industry groups can provide valuable
recommendations for using advanced materials in seismic-resilient
construction. These guidelines may include best practices, design
methodologies, and performance criteria based on the latest research and
developments.

Architects, engineers, and builders involved in seismic-resilient construction

must be familiar with and adhere to relevant codes, standards, and regulations
to ensure the safety and performance of buildings in seismic-prone areas.
Additionally, staying informed about updates and revisions to these standards is
essential to incorporate the latest advancements in materials and construction
techniques.

LITERATURE REVIEW :

Advanced materials play a crucial role in enhancing seismic resilience in

building construction. Seismic resilience refers to the ability of a structure to
withstand and recover from seismic events, such as earthquakes, with minimal
damage. Here are several areas where advanced materials can contribute to
improving seismic resilience:

High-performance Concrete: Advanced concrete formulations with improved

strength, ductility, and durability can enhance a building's ability to withstand
seismic forces. Fiber-reinforced concrete, self-compacting concrete, and high-
strength concrete are examples of advanced materials that can be used to
construct seismic-resistant buildings.

Composite Materials: Fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) offer high strength-to-

weight ratios and excellent resistance to corrosion. They can be used for
retrofitting existing structures to improve their seismic performance or as part
of the construction of new buildings. FRP composites can reinforce beams,
columns, and walls to enhance their ductility and energy dissipation capacity
during earthquakes.
Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs): These materials have the unique property of
returning to a predetermined shape after being deformed, offering significant
potential for seismic-resilient structures. SMAs can be incorporated into
building components to provide self-centering capabilities, reducing residual
drift and damage following seismic events.

Base Isolation Systems: These systems decouple the building from the ground
motion using isolation bearings or dampers, reducing the transfer of seismic
forces to the structure. Advanced materials such as lead-rubber bearings, sliding
bearings, and viscous dampers are used in base isolation systems to improve
their effectiveness in mitigating seismic damage.

Lightweight and Flexible Materials: Lightweight construction materials such as

structural foams, aerated concrete, and advanced polymers can reduce the
overall mass of the building, thereby lowering seismic forces exerted on the
structure during an earthquake. Additionally, flexible materials can help
dissipate seismic energy, reducing the risk of structural damage.

Advanced Reinforcement Materials: Traditional steel reinforcement can be

replaced or supplemented with advanced materials such as carbon fibers, glass
fibers, or high-strength alloys to enhance the ductility and toughness of
structural elements. These materials improve the performance of reinforced
concrete structures under seismic loading conditions.

Nanotechnology-enhanced Materials: Nanomaterials offer unique properties

that can be leveraged to improve the performance of building materials. For
example, adding nanoparticles to concrete can enhance its mechanical
properties, durability, and resistance to cracking, improving the overall seismic
resilience of the structure.

Smart Materials and Sensors: Smart materials, such as piezoelectric materials,

can be integrated into building components to actively control structural
response during seismic events. Furthermore, the deployment of advanced
sensors and monitoring systems can provide real-time data on structural health,
allowing for early detection of damage and timely intervention to prevent
catastrophic failures.
In conclusion, the incorporation of advanced materials in building construction
holds great promise for enhancing seismic resilience by improving structural
strength, ductility, energy dissipation capacity, and overall performance during
seismic events. Continued research and innovation in this field are essential for
developing cost-effective and sustainable solutions to mitigate the impact of
earthquakes on the built environment.

Scope and Limitations

The study will focus on the application of smart structures using advanced
materials in seismic resilience building.
The scope of the study will be limited to the review of literature and case
studies published in English.
The limitations of the study include the availability and quality of the literature
and case studies, as well as the potential biases in the selection of the studies.
Data Collection
Academic databases: Scopus and Web of Science will be used to search for
relevant studies on smart structures using advanced materials in seismic
resilience building.
Relevant websites: Websites, such as the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), will
be used to collect data on smart building technologies and innovative materials.
Case studies: Successful examples of resilient building design, such as the
Palazzo Italia Pavilion and The Shard in London, will be examined to
demonstrate the effectiveness of smart materials and design strategies.
Data Analysis
Content analysis: A qualitative method to analyze the data collected from the
literature and case studies.
Statistical analysis: A quantitative method to analyze the data collected from
the literature and case studies.
Integration of data: Combining the results from the literature review and case
studies to draw conclusions and make recommendations.
This study will provide a comprehensive framework for the deployment of
smart materials in building construction, to create more sustainable and resilient
structures in seismically-prone regions. The results of this study will be
valuable for architects, construction professionals, and policymakers seeking to
improve the seismic resilience of buildings and infrastructure.
Related
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