SMARTnet

Seismic Methodologies for Applied Research and Testing of non-engineered techniques

At Smart Shelter Foundation, all our pioneering research is conducted under the SMARTnet methodology — a global, collaborative approach to non-engineered building science.
It is the framework that guides all seismic research we do.

What we do

SMARTnet is not a separate project or brand; it's the core framework behind all our seismic research. It brings together researchers, engineers, students, and professionals from around the world to rethink how we build, share knowledge, and improve safety for communities. Our work under this framework is to develop and apply repeatable methodologies to assess, test, model, and improve non-engineered building techniques, also known as vernacular architecture, such as rubble stone masonry, adobe, earth, and timber systems.

Our research aims to produce knowledge that is:

Scientifically validated: We bridge the gap between high-tech seismic engineering and low-tech, real-world construction.

Practical and clear: Our findings are designed to be easily applied by local builders and communities.

Ready for integration: We produce knowledge that can be integrated into national building codes, manuals, and training programs.

Why SMARTnet matters

While billions of people live in homes built with non-engineered techniques, most seismic research today focuses on concrete and steel. This creates a significant knowledge gap. SMARTnet was created to address this imbalance by providing evidence and practical tools to make non-engineered construction safer, more sustainable, and more respected.

We believe in open access. SMARTnet is a 100% open-source platform. All of our findings, test results, and recommendations are shared freely and are designed to be useful for a wide range of audiences — from local builders to policy advisors.

The research gap

The scientific foundation for informal construction is surprisingly thin. Despite the global scale of non-engineered structures, our reviews (Schildkamp et al, 2021) show critical research gaps:

• Less than 1% of global seismic research focuses on non-engineered construction — even in high-risk developing countries where it is needed the most.
  
  

• Despite decades of devastating earthquakes, most non-engineered seismic knowledge has not been updated in over 40 years.
  
  

• Existing seismic manuals often take a "one-size-fits-all" approach, ignoring local building types and hazard levels.

  
  

The opportunity

Many non-engineered building techniques can resist earthquakes, but only if they are properly detailed and backed by science. Time and again, outdated codes and missing data have led to building failures in places like Nepal, Turkey, and Morocco. This is where SMARTnet comes in.

SMARTnet exists as the overarching philosophy and strategy to generate the evidence, develop the methodologies, and create the practical tools that will help communities build safer and smarter — where it matters most.

Join our Calls to Action

SMARTnet has launched two international Calls to Action to rethink non-engineered earthquake-resistant construction and reshape building standards.

Call to Action #1: Non-Engineered 2.0

We are calling on experts, students, and institutions to help us build the next generation of earthquake-resistant construction using traditional with natural materials. Together, we can shape "Non-Engineered 2.0," see the Call to Action here.

Call to Action #2: Introducing a 4th masonry category

Support our effort to formally recognize Horizontally Reinforced Masonry (HRM) as a distinct category in seismic building codes. This will end confusion and give rubble stone masonry the status it deserves, see our Call to Action.