Shape memory alloys are used in a variety of fields, such as medical or aeronautical. Other fields of knowledge have been researching these materials, attracted by their capacity to dissipate energy through high-strain hysteretic cycles without significant residual strains. Because of these interesting properties for seismic protection, an example of the possible beneficiaries of these materials are civil engineering structures. This paper reports a bibliographic review on the characteristics and uniaxial macroscale constitutive models for shape memory alloys, of interest for a significant number of applications, most often based on wires and bars. The constitutive model assessment focuses on mechanical and kinetic laws, as well as on the energy balance law, of relevance for dynamic loadings. Some characteristics of these materials are still not sufficiently well known, especially those related to ageing. With regard to behaviour prediction, the most frequently used uniaxial constitutive models result in similar responses

For the seismic isolation of light structures, the use of laminated rubber bearings is neither economical nor, for most cases, technically suited. For the isolation of this type of structure a new system, consisting of steel balls rolling on rubber tracks, has been developed at TARRC (Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre). This article presents the results of experimental tests carried out for the characterization of the behavior of this new device. A numerical model is also proposed that can be used to assess the seismic response of structures with this isolation system. Comparison of the predictions of the numerical model with the experimental data shows that the model is adequate to perform the correct assessment of the seismic response of isolated structures. The results of the experimental campaign of shaking-table tests, as well as the numerical simulations, show that there is an effective reduction of the acceleration levels induced in the isolated structures.

Europe is a continent that is subject to significant seismic activity. Thus, the buildings’ seismic behaviour must be analysed, including not only the new structures, designed under more rigorous codes, but also older ones. This article examines a traditional type of building that uses timber frame/masonry, which is found in Portugal, Turkey, France, England, Greece, Romania, Italy, Spain, Germany and Scandinavia. Although the structures differ in terms of construction details, their structural system is basically the same: the wooden structural system bears mainly the horizontal loads while the masonry supports the gravity loads. The study includes a brief report on the seismicity of each country where this traditional type of building made of timbered framed masonry is found, together with the description of these buildings’ constructive systems.