A practical, affordable solution to the problem of ensuring the long-term safety of the civil infrastructure is needed. This paper reviews the development and application of a passive structural health monitoring technology. The detection and monitoring of structural compliance are accomplished through the selective and strategic placement of Strain Memory Alloy (STMA, to distinguish from SMA, Shape Memory Alloy) sensors. These are sensors that passively register and retain peak structural deflection information. STMAs display a solid-state, irreversible. strain-induced arid strain-dependent, dislocation-triggered. martensitic phase transformation from a paramagnetic parent phase to a ferromagnetic product phase. It is possible to determine specific peak structural strains by measuring the ferromagnetic responses present in all array of attached sensor elements. The STMA sensor technology is described with applications provided to illustrate how it has been applied in civil engineering projects. Details of composite and steel reinforcement bar applications are included. A brief discussion of small aircraft and mine roof bolt applications is provided to illustrate how the sensor material was developed for use as a load-bearing component. Passive structural health monitoring issues are discussed.

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