Study on interface failure of shape memory alloy (SMA) reinforced smart structure with damages

Abstract

Shape memory alloy (SMA) reinforced smart structure can be used to make structural shape and strength self-adapted and structural damage self-restrained. Although SMA smart structures without damages were extensively studied, researches on SMA smart structures with damages have rarely been reported thus far. In this paper, thermo-mechanical behaviors of SMA fiber reinforced smart structures with damages are analyzed through a shear lag model and the variational principle. Mathematical expressions of the meso-displacement field and the stress-strain field of a typical element with damages are obtained, and a failure criterion for interface failure between SMA fibers and matrix is established, which is applied to an example. Results presented herein may provide a theoretical foundation for further studies on integrity of SMA smart structures.