Finite element simulations of poly-crystalline shape memory alloys based on a micromechanical model

Abstract

We present a finite element implementation of a micromechanically motivated model for poly-crystalline shape memory alloys, based on energy minimization principles. The implementation allows simulation of anisotropic material behavior as well as the pseudo-elastic and pseudo-plastic material response of whole samples. The evolving phase distribution over the entire specimen is calculated. The finite element model predicts the material properties for a relatively small number of grains. For different points of interest in the specimen the model can be consistently evaluated with a significantly higher number of grains in a post-processing step, which allows to predict the re-orientation of martensite at different loads. The influence of pre-texture on the material's properties, due to some previous treatment like rolling, is discussed.