Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are special materials with a substantial potential for various civil engineering applications. The novelty of such materials lies in their ability to undergo large deformations and return to their undeformed shape through stress removal (superelasticity) or heating (shape-memory effect). In particular, SMAs have distinct thermomechanical properties, including superelasticity, shape-memory effect, and hysteretic damping. These properties could be effectively utilized to substantially enhance the safety of various structures. Although the high cost of SMAs is still limiting their use, research investigating their production and processing is expected to make it more cost-competitive. Thus, it is expected that SMAs will emerge as an essential material in the construction industry. This paper examines the fundamental characteristics of SMAs, the constitutive material models of SMAs, and the factors influencing the engineering properties of SMAs. Some of the potential applications of SMAs are discussed, including the reinforcement and repair of structural elements, prestress applications, and the development of kernel components for seismic devices such as dampers and isolators. The paper synthesizes existing information on the properties of SMAs, presents it in concise and useful tables, and explains different alternatives for the application of SMAs, which should motivate researchers and practicing engineers to extend the use of SMAs in novel and emerging applications.Key words: shape memory alloy, superelasticity, shape-memory effect, construction, retrofitting.

Superelastic Shape Memory Alloys (SE SMAs) are unique alloys that have the ability to undergo large deformations and return to their undeformed shape by removal of stresses. This study aims at assessing the seismic behavior of beam-column joints reinforced with SE SMAs. Two large-scale beam-column joints were tested under reversed cyclic loading. While the first joint was reinforced with regular steel rebars, SE SMA rebars were used in the second one. Both joints were selected from a Reinforced Concrete (RC) building located in the high seismic region of western Canada and designed and detailed according to current Canadian standards. The behavior of the two specimens under reversed cyclic loading, including their drifts, rotations, and ability to dissipate energy, were compared. The results showed that the SMA-reinforced beam-column joint specimen was able to recover most of its post-yield deformation. Thus, it would require a minimum amount of repair even after a strong earthquake.