Seismic Protection of Cultural Heritage Using Shape Memory Alloy Devices - An EC Funded Project (ISTECH)

Main results of the European Commission funded ISTECH Project are here presented. This project aims to develop innovative techniques for the restoration of cultural heritage structures, especially masonry buildings. Said structures are especially vulnerable to earthquake ground motion owing to reduced resistance and ductility as demonstrated by the vast amount of destruction visited by earthquakes in the past. Sometimes, traditional restoration techniques are inadequate in avoiding collapses. Furthermore, they are often too invasive. The use of devices based on superelastic shape memory alloys has proved very effective in improving the seismic resistance of masonry structures. Different such types of devices have been investigated to fulfil different structural needs. The development of said innovative restoration techniques and devices included theoretical and numerical studies as well as intensive testing of material specimens, devices and structural models. Both the numerical studies and the experimental results show that the Shape Memory Alloys Devices can substantially increase the stability of masonry structures exposed to an earthquake.