AI-BASED EARTHQUAKE-RESISTANT BUILDING DESIGN USING SMART MATERIALS

Abstract

With increasing urbanization and the devastating impacts of seismic events on infrastructure, the ability of buildings to withstand earthquakes has become a critical issue for civil engineers and policymakers. Traditional earthquake-resistant design methods—based on reinforced concrete and steel frameworks—have limitations in adaptability, energy dissipation, and post-quake recovery. The introduction of smart materials, which can respond adaptively to external stimuli, offers novel avenues to enhance structural resilience and performance under seismic loads. This research paper explores the integration of smart materials—such as shape memory alloys (SMAs), piezoelectric materials, and magnetorheological fluids—into earthquake-resistant building design. A comprehensive literature review highlights recent advancements, followed by a proposed methodology to assess smart material performance in structural elements. Experimental results, drawn from simulations and case studies, demonstrate significant improvements in energy dissipation, residual drift reduction, and adaptive response compared to conventional materials. The findings suggest that smart materials can play a transformative role in next-generation seismic safety design.