Superelastic Shape Memory Alloy Wires Research Articles

Effect of pre‐tension on tensile strength of glass fibers‐epoxy composite reinforced with shape memory alloy wire

In this study, the potential of superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) wire to enhance the tensile strength of a glass fibers reinforced epoxy composite was evaluated. Composite specimens with one embedded SMA wire fabricated with hand‐layup method. The specimens were placed under tensile loading (pre‐tension) and unloaded before ultimate tensile strength. The pre‐tension amounts were 65, 75, and 85% of ultimate tensile strength. After unloading, SMA wire wants to transform to the austenite phase and recover its primary shape and a large amount of compressive stress will be released over the composite specimens. Results show that the ultimate tensile strength for specimen with 75% pre‐tension was 32% higher than the composite without pre‐tension. This pre‐tension has the best effect on ultimate tensile strength and pretension of specimens before ultimate tensile strength leads to higher tensile strength due to the high superelasticity of the SMA wires. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E2454–E2459, 2018. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers

Behaviour of Superelastic Nickel Titanium Shape Memory Alloy Material under Uniaxial Testing and its Potential in Civil Engineering

Smart structures are defined as structures that able to adapt and maintain structural characteristics in dealing with changes of external disturbance, environment and unexpected severe loadings. This ability will lead to improve structural safety, serviceability and structural life extension. Shape memory alloys is one of the smart materials which has potential to be integrated in structural system to provide functions such as sensing, actuation, self-adapting and healing of the structures. The unique characteristic of shape memory alloys material is the ability to ‘remember’ its original shape after deformation. Nickel Titanium superelastic shape memory alloy wire is popular and widely used in many engineering fields and owned fully recovery of maximum strain of 6%-13.5% which is among the best shape recovery limit in alloy materials. The austenite finish temperature plays important role in stress-strain behaviour of superelastic shape memory alloys where higher stress required to complete martensite transformation with the increase of austenite finish temperature. The similar behaviour also is observed in the case of higher strain rate. The behaviour of superelastic shape memory alloys need to be studied before implementing in the structural system, so the targeted improvement for the structural system can be achieved.

Exploitation of Large Recoverable Deformations Using Weaved Shape Memory Alloy Wire-Based Sandwich Panel Configurations

A new class of truss structure based on superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) wire has been developed by weaving superelastic SMA wire through two perforated facesheets. A gap was maintained between the facesheets while weaving and the ends of wire forming the truss legs are anchored in each facesheet. The resulting structure has a modified pyramidal configuration and is capable of undergoing large recoverable deformations typical of superelastic SMA. A four-unit cell truss specimen has been tested under static load cycles to investigate the compressive response. The truss specimen underwent a hysteretic loop and demonstrated minimal permanent deformation closely resembling the behavior of bulk SMA. A finite element model of the truss was generated and the analysis results were compared with the experimental response. The present work is an attempt to demonstrate an SMA-based truss structure having energy absorption capabilities with minimum permanent deformation. These truss structures may be applied for damage mitigation in composites subjected to impact and blast loads.

Design, analysis, and manufacture of a tension–compression self-centering damper based on energy dissipation of pre-stretched superelastic shape memory alloy wires

Superelastic shape memory alloys dissipate significant amount of energy since they recover large transformation strains upon mechanical unloading. Due to their dissipation properties, shape memory alloys can be effectively employed as dampers. Design, simulation, and fabrication of a newly developed superelastic shape memory alloy damper are discussed in this article. To enhance the stroke and dissipation capacity of the proposed damper, a system is implemented which operates more efficiently than a single shape memory alloy wire. Although shape memory alloy wires can only undergo tension, the new system enables the damper to be loaded in both tension and compression. Two damping groups are employed in this mechanism: one of which is activated during tension and the other is activated during compression of the damper. Each damping group consists of two shape memory alloy wires acting in the opposite directions to increase the damping capacity of the system. The mechanical responses of the individual components as well as the assembled damper are simulated. The predicted performance of the damper is then validated through tension/compression tests on the fabricated sample. Numerical and experimental force–displacement curves are also shown to be in a good agreement. The effect of different parameters on damping ratio and dissipated energy of the presented damper is investigated.

Experimental investigations of building structure with a superelastic shape memory alloy friction damper subject to seismic loads

With the goal to assess its effectiveness in structural vibration suppression under strong seismic excitations, this paper experimentally investigates shaking table tests of a new superelastic shape memory alloy friction damper (SSMAFD). The damper consists of pre-tensioned superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) wires and friction devices. The main function of SMA wires is to provide re-centering capacity, while the integrated friction devices provide the most energy dissipation. With the inherent damping property, the superelastic SMA wires also provide energy dissipation. In the shaking table tests, a scaled-down building structure were used as the subject for vibration control and several representative seismic signals as well as white noise motions were used as the inputs. Comparative studies of dynamic behaviors, i.e. story displacements, interstory drifts and story accelerations, of the structural model with and without SSMAFD under seismic loading were performed. The experimental results demonstrated that the SSMAFD was effective in suppressing the dynamic response of the building structure subjected to strong earthquakes by dissipating a large portion of the energy. In addition, with the re-centering capacity of the proposed damper, the structure was able to undergo strong earthquakes without remarkable residual drift under different seismic loads.

Monotonic and hysteretic pullout behavior of superelastic SMA fibers with different anchorages

Abstract The aim of this study is to assess the pullout resistance of superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) short fibers with different end shapes, which provide different anchoring actions, through monotonic and hysteretic pullout tests. For this study, NiTi superelastic SMA wire with a diameter of 1.0 mm was prepared and cut by a length of 40 mm to make SMA short fibers. Four types of SMA fibers with different end shapes were manufactured namely: 1) straight end shape, 2) crimped end, 3) bended end with L-shape, and 4) spearhead end. The straight end-shaped fiber was one without any anchoring action on the end part. The crimped fiber had grooves on the two sides manufactured by crimping an end part of 5 mm. The end-bended fiber had an L-shaped end with a 30° bending angle. The fiber with a spearhead was manufactured by pressing the end part of 5 mm. The pullout tests of the fibers from the mortar matrix were first monotonically conducted with displacement control, and the hysteretic pullout behavior was obtained by 4 cyclic loadings. The L-shaped fibers increased the pullout resistance significantly compared with the straight and crimped fibers. However, they did not reach the upper plateau stress of the SMA fiber to induce state transformation. Only the fibers with a spearhead end exceeded the stress for the state transformation because they provided sufficient anchoring resistance due to the spearhead. The maximum pullout resistance of the spearhead fiber was 3.74 times that of the L-shaped fiber. Moreover, they showed flag-shaped behavior during the hysteretic tests.

Characterization of superelastic shape memory alloy fiber-reinforced polymer composites under tensile cyclic loading

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have been increasingly used in engineering applications due to their lightweights, high strength, and high corrosion resistance. However, the conventional FRPs exhibit brittle failure at relatively low ultimate tensile strains, low toughness, and limited fatigue strength. Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are a class of metallic alloys that can recover large strains upon load removal with minimal residual deformations. Besides their ability to recover large deformations, SMAs possess excellent corrosion resistance, good energy dissipation capacity, and high fatigue properties. This study investigates the cyclic behavior of composite materials that consists of a thermoset polymer matrix reinforced with superelastic NiTi SMAs wires. SMA-FRP coupons with three different reinforcement ratios were fabricated using a special-made mold and following a modified hand lay-up technique. The uniaxial tensile tests were conducted under cyclic loading protocols at various stress levels to characterize the behavior of the composite. Low-cycle fatigue properties of SMA-FRPs were also investigated. Microstructural analysis using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique was conducted on fractured surfaces to fully understand the failure mechanism. Results revealed that the SMA-FRP composites can recover relatively high strains upon unloading and exhibit very high failure strains.

A Phenomenological Model for Superelastic Shape Memory Alloy Helical Springs

Due to their capabilities of large recoverable deformation, energy dissipation and self-recovery, Nitinol superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) helical springs can be used as base isolation components to protect isolated structures. In such applications, to design the specific isolation component which consists of SMA helical springs, it is essential to study the force-displacement relationship model of the SMA springs under cyclic loading. In this paper, two types of SMA springs are trained using Nitinol superelastic SMA wires. Based on the data of a series of cyclic loading tests, a phenomenological model is established to model the superelasticity or pseudoelasticity of the SMA springs. The developed model describes the force-displacement relationship of SMA springs subjected to general dynamic load. Comparative studies show that for the proposed phenomenological model, the simulation results of force-displacement relationship of the SMA springs agree very well with the experimental ones, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed model.

Self-centering and damping capabilities of a tension-compression device equipped with superelastic NiTi wires

The hysteretic damping capacity and high recoverable strains characterizing the superelastic response of shape memory alloys (SMA) make these materials attractive for protection systems of structures subjected to dynamic loads. A successful implementation however is conditioned by functional fatigue exhibited by the SMA when subjected to cyclic loading. The residual deformation upon cycling and the efficiency in material usage are the two most restrictive issues in this sense. In this paper, a device equipped with superelastic NiTi SMA wires and capable of supporting external tension compression loads with optimized properties is presented. It is shown how the introduction of the wires’ pre-straining allows for the absorption of deleterious residual deformation without affecting the self-centering capabilities upon unloading, in contrast with what occurs for pre-strained tendons. These features were experimentally verified in an in-scale prototype composed of two 1.2 mm diameter superelastic NiTi SMA wires. In order to numerically assess the dynamic response of a simple structure subjected to seismic excitations, a multilinear superelasticity model for the NiTi wires was developed.

Seismic Response and Evaluation of SDOF Self-Centering Friction Damping Braces Subjected to Several Earthquake Ground Motions

This paper mainly deals with seismic response and performance for self-centering friction damping braces (SFDBs) subjected to several maximum- or design-leveled earthquake ground motions. The self-centering friction damping brace members consist of core recentering components fabricated with superelastic shape memory alloy wires and energy dissipation devices achieved through shear friction mechanism. As compared to the conventional brace members for use in the steel concentrically braced frame structure, these self-centering friction damping brace members make the best use of their representative characteristics to minimize residual deformations and to withstand earthquake loads without member replacement. The configuration and response mechanism of self-centering friction damping brace systems are firstly described in this study, and then parametric investigations are conducted through nonlinear time-history analyses performed on numerical single degree-of-freedom spring models. After observing analysis results, adequate design methodologies that optimally account for recentering capability and energy dissipation according to their comparative parameters are intended to be suggested in order to take advantage of energy capacity and to minimize residual deformation simultaneously.

Internal loops in superelastic shape memory alloy wires under torsion – Experiments and simulations/predictions

Understanding torsional responses of shape memory alloy (SMA) specimens under partial or fully transformed cases with internal loops is of particular importance as the entire response might not be always utilized and only a portion of the entire response (internal loop) might be of significance to designers. In this work, we present experimental results of large complex loading and unloading torsional cycles which were conducted on superelastic SMA wires, under isothermal conditions with the purpose of elucidating the torsional internal loop response during loading and unloading. Such data hereto has not been available in open literature. Utilizing this data, we model the torsional response of superelastic SMA wires subjected to various loading and unloading situations that can result in different extents of transformation.A thermodynamically consistent Preisach model (Rao and Srinivasa, 2013) captures such complex internal loops with a high degree of precision by modeling driving force for phase transformation vs. volume fraction of martensite relationships. This approach is different from capturing purely phenomenological stress–strain or stress–temperature Preisach models. The thermodynamic approach utilized here has broader predictive capability. The model predictions indicate good agreement with the internal loop structures even though only the outer loop information was used for model calibration. The addition of a single inner loop information for model calibration greatly improves the predictions.

Performance-based optimal design of self-centering friction damping brace systems between recentering capability and energy dissipation

This paper deals with a novel type of the friction damping brace systems and its development using slip resistance for seismic retrofitting of damaged structures. In the system, slotted bolt holes are placed on the shear faying surface with a view to dissipating a considerable amount of passive energy. Superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) wire strands that enable self-centering mechanism and enhanced energy dissipation capacity are also installed between brace members. Self-centering friction damping braces (SFDBs) treated in this study have the desirable potential to efficiently reduce residual inter-story drifts in the braced frames during seismic events as compared to conventional passive damping systems. The SFDB system mechanism is described, and then its parametric study accounting for recentering capability and dissipative energy is carried out using numerical models that are calibrated with experimental data. Based upon the parametric investigation, this study suggests an optimal design methodology for establishing the smart self-centering bracing system.

Low Cycle Fatigue Evaluation of NiTi SESMA Thin Wires

This paper presents experimental studies on low cycle fatigue (LCF) life of super-elastic shape memory alloy (SESMA) wires. The effect of frequency of the loading and amplitude of the strain on the fatigue life has been studied individually. Various loading frequencies have been considered to study the effect of frequency, by keeping the amplitude constant. From the experimental data, it was found that the LCF life of the SESMA reduces with increase in the frequency. The effect of amplitude on the LCF life of SESMA has also been studied, and it was found that the SESMA cycled at lower net strain has more fatigue life than the one cycled at higher net strain. Further, the plastic strain accumulation is also more in the samples tested at the higher net strain loadings. The modulus of austenite is found to be by and large independent of the frequency and amplitude of the loading. Further, martensitic unloading modulus is same for all the minimum strain amplitudes.

Corrosion of NiTi Wires with Cracked Oxide Layer

Corrosion behavior of superelastic NiTi shape memory alloy wires with cracked TiO2 surface oxide layers was investigated by electrochemical corrosion tests (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, Open Circuit Potential, and Potentiodynamic Polarization) on wires bent into U-shapes of various bending radii. Cracks within the oxide on the surface of the bent wires were observed by FIB–SEM and TEM methods. The density and width of the surface oxide cracks dramatically increase with decreasing bending radius. The results of electrochemical experiments consistently show that corrosion properties of NiTi wires with cracked oxide layers (static load keeps the cracks opened) are inferior compared to the corrosion properties of the straight NiTi wires covered by virgin uncracked oxides. Out of the three methods employed, the Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy seems to be the most appropriate test for the electrochemical characterization of the cracked oxide layers, since the impedance curves (Nyquist plot) of differently bent NiTi wires can be associated with increasing state of the surface cracking and since the NiTi wires are exposed to similar conditions as the surfaces of NiTi implants in human body. On the other hand, the potentiodynamic polarization test accelerates the corrosion processes and provides clear evidence that the corrosion resistance of bent superelastic NiTi wires degrades with oxide cracking.

Optimum Design and Structural Application of the Bracing Damper System by Utilizing Friction Energy Dissipation and Self-Centering Capability

본 연구는 지진에 대한 구조물의 손상을 최소화 하기 위하여 슬립 저항력을 활용한 새로운 형태의 마찰 댐퍼형 가새 시스템의 설계와 개발을 주로 다루고자 한다. 가새 부재 내에서 전단력에 의한 마찰 거동으로 상당량의 에너지를 수동적으로 소산하기 위하여 플레이트 전단 이음부 위에 슬롯 형태의 볼트 구멍을 설치한다. 여기에 전단 마찰 거동으로 인해 발생되는 잔류변형을 줄이고자 상온에서 원형복원이 가능한 초탄성 형상합금 와이어를 꼬아서 만든 연선을 설치하여 댐퍼 시스템 내에 복원성을 증진 시켰다. 기존에 주로 사용된 수동적인 변위 제어 장치와 비교하여 본 연구에서 다루고자 하는 자동복원이 가능한 마찰 댐퍼형 가새 시스템은 중심 가새 프레임 구조물에 손쉽게 설치하여 지진발생 후에 구조물에 발생하는 층간 잔류변위를 최소화하여 유지 보수에 소모되는 비용의 대폭적인 절감을 기대할 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 자동복원이 가능한 마찰 댐퍼형 가새 시스템의 역학적인 거동 메커니즘을 살펴보고 실험값으로 보정되어 신뢰성을 확보한 스프링 모델을 사용하여 해석을 실시하였다. 시스템에 다양한 설계 변수를 적용하여 복원성과 에너지 소산 능력 측면에서 제안된 댐퍼의 성능 동향을 분석을 하고 최적의 설계 방식을 제안하고자 한다. 마지막으로 자동복원이 가능한 마찰 댐퍼를 중심 가새 프레임 구조물에 설치하여 비선형 동적 해석을 실시하고 기존의 시스템과 비교하여 성능적인 우수성을 입증하고자 한다. This study mainly treats a new type of the bracing friction damper system, which is able to minimize structural damage under earthquake loads. The slotted bolt holes are placed on the shear faying surfaces with an intention to dissipate considerable amount of friction energy. The superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) wire strands are installed crossly between two plates for the purpose of enhancing recentering force that are able to reduce permanent deformation occurring at the friction damper system. The smart recentering friction damper system proposed in this study can be expected to reduce repair cost as compared to the conventional damper system because the proposed system mitigates the inter-story drift of the entire frame structure. The response mechanism of the proposed damper system is firstly investigated in this study, and then numerical analyses are performed on the component spring models calibrated to the experimental results. Based on the numerical analysis results, the seismic performance of the recentering friction damper system with respect to recentering capability and energy dissipation are investigated before suggesting optimal design methodology. Finally, nonlinear dynamic analyses are conducted by using the frame models designed with the proposed damper systems so as to verify superior performance to the existing damper systems.

Controlled impact testing of woven fabric composites with and without reinforcing shape-memory alloy wires

Shape-memory alloy composites are relatively new materials and their behaviour is not yet completely understood. The purpose of this work is to minimise the effect of impact damage on their structural performance. To do that, GFRP woven fabric reinforced epoxy composite panels, with and without additional superelastic shape-memory alloy wires, have been impacted at constant velocities using a servo-hydraulic testing machine, and a digital video camera has been used to monitor the impact event. Single, multiple and partial penetration impact tests have been carried out, and the energy absorption and damage development are similar in all cases for the same material. The benefit of using the superelastic shape-memory alloy wires was seen only at high displacements and when the volume fraction of the wires was high.

Fabrication and Cyclic Behavior of Highly Ductile Superelastic Shape Memory Composites

AbstractTo address the problem of steel corrosion, fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars are often used as reinforcement in concrete structures. However, conventional FRP bars are characterized by linear elastic behavior that limits their efficacy in seismic structural applications. This paper investigates the fabrication and cyclic behavior of a relatively new class of composite material known as SMA-FRP that could be used as seismic reinforcement for concrete structures. The new composite comprises a high elongation resin matrix, embedded with superelastic NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA) wires as primary reinforcement. The SMA wires are used either with or without the addition of conventional fibers. The hysteretic nonlinear pseudoelastic behavior of SMA provides the new composite with features that conventional FRP lacks, such as ductility and energy dissipation capability. The experimental program carried out in this study starts with the training of SMA wires, and the investigation of the hysteretic beha...

A New Constitutive Model of Superelastic SMA

The shape memory alloys (SMAs) have received increasing interest attributed to their unique superelastic effect and the shape memory effect. The existing models of superelastic SMAs are generally complex for practical use. In this paper, cyclic loading tests of superelastic SMA wires are first performed. Based on the experiments, a simple constitutive model is set up. Simulations testify that the model can approximately describe the hysteretic characteristics of the superelastic SMA and the simulated mechanical parameters agree well with the experimental values.

Low‐velocity impact response in composite plates embedding shape memory alloy wires

AbstractIn this work, the behavior of hybrid composite plates, embedding superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) wires, subjected to low‐velocity impacts was studied. The impact experiments were performed on glass reinforced thermoset composite plates containing 1% by volume of superelastic thin wires (0.1 mm of diameter) of a SMA. The specimens were impacted with instrumented drop weight impact equipment: different dropping heights were used to attain impact energies from 1 to 500 J. The shape and size of damaged area were analyzed using two nondestructive inspection methods: (1) light scattering under back illumination was used to observe minor damages such as matrix cracks and fiber matrix debonding and (2) the size and shape of large damages such as delaminations were evaluated by infrared thermography. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers

Incremental dynamic analysis of concrete moment resisting frames reinforced with shape memory composite bars

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcing bars have been used in concrete structures as an alternative to conventional steel reinforcement, in order to overcome corrosion problems. However, due to the linear behavior of the commonly used reinforcing fibers, they are not considered in structures which require ductility and damping characteristics. The use of superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) fibers with their nonlinear elastic behavior as reinforcement in the composite could potentially provide a solution for this problem. Small diameter SMA wires are coupled with polymer matrix to produce SMA–FRP composite, which is sought in this research as reinforcing bars. SMA–FRP bars are sought in this study to enhance the seismic performance of reinforced concrete (RC) moment resisting frames (MRFs) in terms of reducing their residual inter-story drifts while still maintaining the elastic characteristics associated with conventional FRP. Three story one bay and six story two bay RC MRF prototype structures are designed with steel, SMA–FRP and glass–FRP reinforcement. The incremental dynamic analysis technique is used to investigate the behaviors of the two frames with the three different reinforcement types under a suite of ground motion records. It is found that the frames with SMA–FRP composite reinforcement exhibit higher performance levels including lower residual inter-story drifts, high energy dissipation and thus lower damage, which are important for structures in highly seismic zones.