This paper presents an overview of the engineering applications of smart structures technology to civil structures. The definition used for smart structures will include those cases where the smartness entails the ability of the structure to sense its present state and the external loads that are acting on it, as well as those cases where the structures are able to respond to external loads so as to ameliorate their effects. The first case will be referred to as `Sensing Structures.' The second case will be referred to as `Sensing and Reacting Structures.' The sequel contains a discussion of applications of sensing structures, sensing and reacting structures, and a brief section that speculates on future opportunities for smart civil structures technologies.
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