Farah Shadman

Iranian civil engineer who designed Tehran's first earthquake-resistant infrastructure system

Farah Shadman (1921-1994) revolutionized civil engineering practices in Iran through her seismic-resistant designs. In 1953, she developed the Shadman Base Isolation System, a pioneering technique using rubber bearings to absorb earthquake energy. This innovation became mandatory for all government buildings after her 1962 report proved it reduced structural damage by 70% during the 1960 Tabriz earthquake.

As Iran's first female civil engineering professor, she trained 150 engineers at Tehran University's Shadman Institute, established in 1968. Her 1971 textbook <《Seismic Design Principles》> remains a standard reference in earthquake engineering. The 1977 television series <《Builders of Tomorrow》> dramatized her work during the 1965 Qazvin earthquake rescue efforts.

Her system inspired Japan's 1995 Kobe reconstruction efforts and forms the basis of modern base isolation technology. Over 10,000 buildings in the Middle East now use her designs, saving an estimated 15,000 lives during the 2003 Bam earthquake. The Global Earthquake Engineering Award honors her legacy, presented annually since 2005.