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Ductility in seismic design is fundamentally about a material’s capacity to undergo significant plastic deformations before failure. This property is critical during seismic events because structures experience dynamic forces that can lead to unexpected movements and stresses. When a material or structural element is ductile, it can deform significantly in response to these forces, absorbing a substantial amount of energy.

This characteristic allows structures to endure the shaking and swaying caused by earthquakes without fracturing or collapsing suddenly. By enabling a structure to deform rather than break, ductility provides time for the building to safely dissipate energy, which is vital for protecting occupants and minimizing damage.

In contrast, factors like a structure being lightweight or generating heat during deformation do not directly relate to how well it can perform during seismic activities. Similarly, while absorption of shock without damage is an important attribute, it does not fully capture the essence of ductility, which emphasizes extensive deformation capacity before failure occurs.