Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are being used in adaptive structuresfor sensing and actuation because of the large amount ofdeformation and force that these materials can produce uponheating. Of particular interest, is the bending actuation ofpolymers, such as polyurethanes, by embedding opposing SMAwires. Previous investigations on these structures have focused primarily on embedding single or opposing SMA wires that havebeen trained to exhibit the two-way shape memory effect (SME)because of the simplicity with which the actuation behavior canbe modeled and predicted. Alternatively, many potentialadaptive structure applications can employ SMA wires exhibitinga one-way SME to eliminate the need for a priori two-way training of the SMA wires, and to increase the recoverabledeformation in the structure. In this investigation, therepeatable bending actuation of polyurethanes using opposingone-way SMA wires exhibiting large deformation recovery ischaracterized with a full-field deformation measurement technique known as digital image correlation. These results areanalyzed with a one-dimensional actuation model previouslyproposed for predicting the bending actuation of elastomericrods embedded with opposing two-way SMA wires. Usingappropriate recovery strains and constitutive bending responses, this model was modified to characterize an`equivalent two-way SME' recovery strain for the one-way SMAwires. A kinematic model of the bending actuation is alsopresented that attributes the origin of the equivalent two-waySME to the biasing forces acting on the SMA wires. Repeatablebending actuation was achieved in polyurethanes using one-way SMA wires prestrained 5% at an equivalent two-waySME recovery strain level of nearly 5%. These resultsindicate that repeatable bending actuation can be achieved inpolyurethanes by using opposing SMA wires exhibiting theone-way SME instead of the two-way SME at a level 25% greater than reported for the two-way SME. The level of bendingactuation will depend on the constraint of the SMA wiresimposed by the stiffness of the polyurethane matrix. The symmetryof the bending actuation is affected by the symmetry of thelocal volume fraction of SMA wires and the symmetry of theprestrain levels in the wires. Furthermore, symmetric prestrainwill enhance the level of equivalent two-way SME exhibited bythe wires.