Coupled thermo-mechanical analysis of shape memory alloy circular bars in pure torsion

Pure torsion of shape memory alloy (SMA) bars with circular cross section is studied by considering the effect of temperature gradient in the cross sections as a result of latent heat generation and absorption during forward and reverse phase transformations. The local form of energy balance for SMAs by taking into account the heat flux effect is coupled to a closed-form solution of SMA bars subjected to pure torsion. The resulting coupled thermo-mechanical equations are solved for SMA bars with circular cross sections. Several numerical case studies are presented and the necessity of considering the coupled thermo-mechanical formulation is demonstrated by comparing the results of the proposed model with those obtained by assuming an isothermal process during loading–unloading. Pure torsion of SMA bars in various ambient conditions (free and forced convection of air, and forced convection of water flow) subjected to different loading–unloading rates are studied and it is shown that the isothermal solution is valid only for specific combinations of ambient conditions and loading rates.     

A combined analytical,numerical, and experimental study of shape-memory-alloy helical springs

In this paper, the pseudoelastic response of shape memory alloy (SMA) helical springs under axial force is studied both analytically and numerically. In the analytical solution two different approximations are considered. In the first approximation, both the curvature and pitch effects are assumed to be negligible. This is the case for helical springs with large ratios of mean coil radius to the cross sectional radius (spring index) and small pitch angles. Using this assumption, analysis of the helical spring is reduced to that of the pure torsion of a straight bar with circular cross section. A three-dimensional phenomenological macroscopic constitutive model for polycrystalline SMAs is reduced to the one-dimensional pure shear case and a closed-form solution for torsional response of SMA bars in loading and unloading is obtained. In the next step, the curvature effect is included and the SMA helical spring is analyzed using the exact solution presented for torsion of curved SMA bars. In this refined solution, the effect of the direct shear force is also considered. In the numerical analyses, the three-dimensional constitutive equations are implemented in a finite element method and using solid elements the loading–unloading of an SMA helical spring is simulated. Analytical and numerical results are compared and it is shown that the solution based on the SMA curved bar torsion gives an accurate stress analysis in the cross section of the helical SMA spring in addition to the global load–deflection response. All the results are compared with experimental data for a Nitinol helical spring. Several case studies are presented using the proposed analytical and numerical solutions and the effect of changing different parameters such as the material properties and temperature on the loading–unloading hysteretic response of SMA helical springs is studied. Finally, some practical recommendations are given for improving the performance of SMA helical springs used as energy dissipating devices, for example for seismic applications.     

Constitutive modeling of shape memory alloy wire with non-local rate kinetics

A constitutive modeling approach for shape memory alloy (SMA) wire by taking into account the microstructural phase inhomogeneity and the associated solid–solid phase transformation kinetics is reported in this paper. The approach is applicable to general thermomechanical loading. Characterization of various scales in the non-local rate sensitive kinetics is the main focus of this paper. Design of SMA materials and actuators not only involve an optimal exploitation of the hysteresis loops during loading–unloading, but also accounts for fatigue and training cycle identifications. For a successful design of SMA integrated actuator systems, it is essential to include the microstructural inhomogeneity effects and the loading rate dependence of the martensitic evolution, since these factors play predominant role in fatigue. In the proposed formulation, the evolution of new phase is assumed according to Weibull distribution. Fourier transformation and finite difference methods are applied to arrive at the analytical form of two important scaling parameters. The ratio of these scaling parameters is of the order of 10⁶ for stress-free temperature-induced transformation and 10⁴ for stress-induced transformation. These scaling parameters are used in order to study the effect of microstructural variation on the thermo-mechanical force and interface driving force. It is observed that the interface driving force is significant during the evolution. Increase in the slopes of the transformation start and end regions in the stress–strain hysteresis loop is observed for mechanical loading with higher rates.      

Evolutionary model of finite-strain thermoelasticity

The equation of state of finite-strain thermoelasticity is obtained using a formalized approach to constructing constitutive relations for complex media under the assumption of closeness of intermediate and current configurations. A variational formulation of the coupled thermoelastic problem is proposed. The constitutive equation, the heat-conduction equation, the relations for internal energy, free energy, and entropy, and the variational formulation of the coupled problem of finite-strain thermoelasticity are tested on the problem of uniaxial extension of a bar. The model adequately describes experimental data for elastomers, such as entropic elasticity, temperature inversion, and temperature variation during an adiabatic process. __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 49, No. 3, pp. 184–196, May–June, 2008.     

A thermodynamical constitutive model for shape memory materials. Part I. The monolithic shape memory alloy

Pseudoelasticity and the shape memory effect (SME) due to martensitic transformation and reorientation of polycrystalline shape memory alloy (SMA) materials are modeled using a free energy function and a dissipation potential. Three different cases are considered, based on the number of internal state variables in the free energy: (1) austenite plus a variable number of martensite variants; (2) austenite plus two types of martensite; and (3) austenite and one type of martensite. Each model accounts for three-dimensional simultaneous transformation and reorientation. The single-martensite model was chosen for detailed study because of its simplicity and its ease of experimental verification. Closed form equations are derived for the damping capacity and the actuator efficiency of converting heat into work. The first law of thermodynamics is used to demonstrate that significantly more work is required to complete the adiabatic transformation than the isothermal transformation. Also, as the hardening due to the austenite/martensite misfit stresses approaches zero, the transformation approaches the isothermal, infinite specific heat conditions of a first-order transformation. In a second paper, the single-martensite model is used in a mesomechanical derivation of the constitutive equations of an active composite with an SMA phase.     

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.     

Mechanical Performance of a Recycled Carbon Fibre/PP Composite

A composite made of recycled carbon fibres in recycled polypropylene matrix is studied experimentally to describe the features of the elastic and time dependent nonlinear mechanical behaviour. The properties of the developed material have a large variability to be addressed and understood. It was found that the stress-strain curves in tension are rather nonlinear at low strain rate and the strength is sensitive to strain rate. The elastic properties’ reduction for this composite after loading to high strains is rather limited. More important is that even in the “elastic region” due to viscoelastic effects the slope of loading–unloading curve is not the same and that at higher stress large viscoplastic strains develop and creep rupture is typical. The time and stress dependence of viscoplastic strains was analysed and described theoretically. The viscoelastic response of the composite was analysed using creep compliance, which was found to be slightly nonlinear.     

Bending actuation in polyurethanes with a symmetrically graded distribution of one-way shape memory alloy wires

Structures are being actuated by embedding shape memory alloy (SMA) wires into compliant materials, such as polyurethane. To achieve bending actuation, these wires are placed in opposing wire configurations, where multiple wires are often employed to enhance the amplitude of the bending actuation response. In this investigation, a procedure has been developed for fabricating polyurethanes with a symmetrically graded distribution of SMA wires. The effects of grading the distribution of one-way SMA wires have been characterized using full-field displacement deformation measurements obtained with the digital image correlation (DIC) technique. These measurements have been used in a one-dimensional (1D) model of bending actuation to determine the “equivalent two-way shape memory effect (SME)” of the graded wire distribution. To utilize the 1D actuation model, the constitutive properties of the polyurethane structure predicted by rule-of-mixture formulations were reduced to account for the differences in strain between the SMA wires and the polyurethane matrix. The graded wire distribution was also found to significantly stiffen the polyurethane structure. The level of equivalent two-way SME therefore became limited by the maximum recovery stress of the SMA wires, with a maximum level that was approximately 75% less than previously measured levels in an opposing wire configuration. However, the bending actuation behavior was more symmetric, and the actuated bending deflections were similar to those observed when using more compliant materials. It was also predicted that the symmetrically graded wire distribution would exhibit a better balance between actuation amplitude and uniformity, which combined with the more symmetric actuation behavior makes the graded wire distribution potentially more desirable for achieving higher actuation frequencies with distributed actuation concepts in new applications, such as miniaturized double diaphragm pumping devices.     

Numerical Modeling of Hydraulic Hysteresis in Unsaturated Soils

This article presents the implementation of the constitutive model of Wheeler (Geotechnique 53(1):41–54, 2003) for coupling of hydraulic hysteresis and mechanical behavior of unsaturated soils in a fully coupled transient hydro-mechanical finite element (FE) model (computer code UNSATEX) developed by the authors. The constitutive model considers the effects of irreversible changes of degree of saturation on stress–strain behavior and the influence of plastic volumetric strains on the water retention behavior. The mathematical framework and the numerical implementation of the constitutive model are presented and discussed. The FE model is verified and validated against analytical predictions [obtained using the model of Wheeler (Geotechnique 53(1):41–54, 2003] as well as experimental results from the literature involving unsaturated soils undergoing various combinations of drying, wetting, loading, unloading, and reloading paths. Comparison of the results shows that the developed FE model can be used to predict various aspects of the behavior of unsaturated soils under drying and wetting as well as loading and unloading paths. The merits and limitations of the FE model are highlighted.     

Force-displacement characteristics of simply supported beam laminated with shape memory alloys

As a preliminary step in the nonlinear design of shape memory alloy(SMA) composite structures,the force-displacement characteristics of the SMA layer are studied.The bilinear hysteretic model is adopted to describe the constitutive relationship of SMA material.Under the assumption that there is no point of SMA layer finishing martensitic phase transformation during the loading and unloading process,the generalized restoring force generated by SMA layer is deduced for the case that the simply supported beam vibrates in its first mode.The generalized force is expressed as piecewise-nonlinear hysteretic function of the beam transverse displacement.Furthermore the energy dissipated by SMA layer during one period is obtained by integration,then its dependencies are discussed on the vibration amplitude and the SMA’s strain(Ms-Strain) value at the beginning of martensitic phase transformation.It is shown that SMA’s energy dissipating capacity is proportional to the stiffness difference of bilinear model and nonlinearly dependent on Ms-Strain.The increasing rate of the dissipating capacity gradually reduces with the amplitude increasing.The condition corresponding to the maximum dissipating capacity is deduced for given value of the vibration amplitude.The obtained results are helpful for designing beams laminated with shape memory alloys.     

Damping Characterization and Viscoelastic Behavior of Laminated Polymer Matrix Composites Using a Modified Classical Lamination Theory

The damping property of materials can be defined as the ratio of dissipated energy over the total strain energy during the loading–unloading process, called the specific damping capacity (SDC). In this study, in order to characterize the damping properties of materials, a test plan in designed to extract the SDC of a single layer composite from hysteresis data. The theory of linear viscoelasticity incorporates a varying Young’s Modulus by using a complex stiffness modulus. Considering different lay-ups, the modified classical lamination plate theory is modified to represent both stiffness and SDC of laminates. The results are compared with experimental results for symmetric laminated specimen. This evaluation shows a very good agreement between theoretical and experimental results in the range of low frequency loading from 0.2 to 4 Hz. The complex compliance matrix changes the governing equation in to a complex form which contains both stiffness and damping properties.     

Modelling of localization and propagation of phase transformation in superelastic SMA by a gradient nonlocal approach

In this work, a nonlocal phenomenological behavior model is proposed in order to describe the localization and propagation of stress-induced martensite transformation in shape memory alloy (SMA) wires and thin films. It is a nonlocal extension of an existing local model that was derived from a micromechanical-inspired Gibbs free energy expression. The proposed model uses, besides the local field of the internal variable, namely the martensite volume fraction, a nonlocal counterpart. This latter acts as an additional degree of freedom, which is determined by solving an additional partial differential equation (PDE), derived so as to be equivalent to the integral definition of a nonlocal quantity. This PDE involves an internal length parameter, dictating the global scale at which the nonlocal interactions of the underlying micromechanisms are manifested during phase transformation. Moreover, to account for the unstable softening behavior, the transformation yield force parameter is considered as a gradually decreasing function of the martensite fraction. Possible material and geometric imperfections that are responsible for localization initiation are also considered in this analysis. The obtained constitutive equations are implemented in the Abaqus® finite element code in one and two dimensions. This requires the development of specific finite elements having the nonlocal volume fraction variable as an additional degree of freedom. This implementation is achieved through the UEL user’s subroutine. The effect of martensitic localization on the superelastic global behavior of SMA wire and holed thin plate, subjected to tension loading, is analyzed. Numerical results show that the developed tool correctly captures the commonly observed unstable superelastic behavior characterized by nucleation and propagation of martensitic phase. In particular, they show the influence of the internal length parameter, appearing in the nonlocal model, on the size of the localization area and the stress nucleation peak.     

Uniaxial Modeling of Multivariant Shape-Memory Materials with Internal Sublooping using Dissipation Functions

Models for the macroscopic behavior of Shape Memory Materials can be conveniently constructed within the Ziegler–Green–Naghdi framework where all the constitutive information is encoded in two ingredients: the free energy and the dissipation function. In a previous work, we have proposed various expressions for the basic functions suitable to model pseudoelasticity with complete transformations cycles. In this work we consider additional effects due to Martensite reorientation and to transformation reversal prior to transformation completion. The new constitutive model allows for the modeling of a variety of effects including: shape memory associated with thermally induced transformation, internal pseudoelastic subloops and the determination of limit cycles associated with repetitive stress cycling.     

A coupled theory of fluid permeation and large deformations for elastomeric materials

An elastomeric gel is a cross-linked polymer network swollen with a solvent (fluid). A continuum-mechanical theory to describe the various coupled aspects of fluid permeation and large deformations (e.g., swelling and squeezing) of elastomeric gels is formulated. The basic mechanical force balance laws and the balance law for the fluid content are reviewed, and the constitutive theory that we develop is consistent with modern treatments of continuum thermodynamics, and material frame-indifference. In discussing special constitutive equations we limit our attention to isotropic materials, and consider a model for the free energy based on a Flory-Huggins model for the free energy change due to mixing of the fluid with the polymer network, coupled with a non-Gaussian statistical-mechanical model for the change in configurational entropy—a model which accounts for the limited extensibility of polymer chains. As representative examples of application of the theory, we study (a) three-dimensional swelling-equilibrium of an elastomeric gel in an unconstrained, stress-free state; and (b) the following one-dimensional transient problems: (i) free-swelling of a gel; (ii) consolidation of an already swollen gel; and (iii) pressure-difference-driven diffusion of organic solvents across elastomeric membranes.     

Effects of heat generation on g-Jitter induced natural convection flow in a channel with isothermal or isoflux walls

This paper discusses the behavior of g-jitter induced free convection in microgravity under the influence of a transverse magnetic field and in the presence of heat generation or absorption effects for a simple system consisting of two parallel impermeable infinite plates held at four different thermal boundary conditions. The governing equations for this problem are derived on the basis of the balance laws of mass, linear momentum, and energy modified to include the effects of thermal buoyancy, magnetic field and heat generation or absorption as well as Maxwell's equations. The fluid is assumed to be viscous, Newtonian and have constant properties except the density in the body force of the balance of linear momentum equation. The governing equations are solved analytically for the induced velocity and temperature distributions as well as for the electric field and total current for electrically-conducting and insulating walls. This is done for isothermal–isothermal, isoflux–isothermal, isothermal–isoflux and isoflux–isoflux thermal boundary conditions. Graphical results for the velocity amplitude and distribution are presented and discussed for various parametric physical conditions.     

Thermomechanical modeling of nonlinear internal hysteresis due to incomplete phase transformation in pseudoelastic shape memory alloys

This paper presents a thermomechanical model for pseudoelastic shape memory alloys (SMAs) accounting for internal hysteresis effect due to incomplete phase transformation. The model is developed within the finite-strain framework, wherein the deformation gradient is multiplicatively decomposed into thermal dilation, rigid body rotation, elastic and transformation parts. Helmholtz free energy density comprises three components: the reversible thermodynamic process , the irreversible thermodynamic process and the physical constraints of both. In order to capture the multiple internal hysteresis loops in SMA, two internal variables representing the transition points of the forward and reverse phase transformation, \(\phi _s^f\) and \(\phi _s^r\), are introduced to describe the incomplete phase transformation process. Evolution equations of the internal variables are derived and linked to the phase transformation. Numerical implementation of the model features an Euler discretization and a cutting-plane algorithm. After validation of the model against the experimental data, numerical examples are presented, involving a SMA-based vibration system and a crack SMA specimen subjected to partial loading–unloading case. Simulation results well demonstrate the internal hysteresis and free vibration behavior of SMA.

     

Comparison of seismic performance of three restrainers for multiple-span bridges using fragility analysis

Steel restrainer cables for multiple-frame bridges in California in the United States showed the effectiveness to prevent the unseating at the internal hinges during the past several earthquakes. After that, the steel restrainer cables are being tried to apply for multiple-span-simply-supported (MSSS) bridges in the central and the southeastern regions in the United States. In addition, shape memory alloy (SMA) bars in tension are being studied for the same application. In multiple-frame bridges, the developed seismic forces are transferred to piers through the restrainers; however, in MSSS bridges, the seismic forces are transferred to abutments by the restrainers. Therefore, the abutment’s behavior should be investigated as well. This study assesses the seismic performance of the three types of restrainers—steel restrainer cables, SMA bars in tension, and SMA bars in bending for MSSS bridges—due to moderate to strong ground motions using a deterministic seismic analysis. Also, a fragility analysis is conduced to assess the seismic resistance for the overall bridge system. For these analyses, the bending test of an SMA bar is conducted and its analytical model is determined. Then, nonlinear time history analyses are conducted to assess the seismic responses of the as-built and the retrofitted bridges. The deterministic analysis illustrates how the restrainers influence the components of the bridge. However, it could not explain the effects on the whole bridge system. The fragility analysis shows the effects of the three restrainers on the overall bridge system. The fragility analysis indicates that the SMA bars in bending are the most effective ones.     

A phenomenological and extended continuum approach for modelling non-equilibrium flows

This paper presents a new technique that combines Grad’s 13-moment equations (G13) with a phenomenological approach to rarefied gas flows. This combination and the proposed solution technique capture some important non-equilibrium phenomena that appear in the early continuum-transition flow regime. In contrast to the fully coupled 13-moment equation set, a significant advantage of the present solution technique is that it does not require extra boundary conditions explicitly; Grad’s equations for viscous stress and heat flux are used as constitutive relations for the conservation equations instead of being solved as equations of transport. The relative computational cost of this novel technique is low in comparison to other methods, such as fully coupled solutions involving many moments or discrete methods. In this study, the proposed numerical procedure is tested on a planar Couette flow case, and the results are compared to predictions obtained from the direct simulation Monte Carlo method. This test case highlights the presence of normal viscous stresses and tangential heat fluxes that arise from non-equilibrium phenomena, which cannot be captured by the Navier–Stokes–Fourier constitutive equations or phenomenological modifications.      

Effects of matrix inelasticity on the overall hysteretic behavior of TiNi-SMA fiber composites

The effects of the inelastic deformation of the matrix on the overall hysteretic behavior of a unidirectional titanium–nickel shape-memory alloy (TiNi-SMA) fiber composite and on the local pseudoelastic response of the embedded SMA fibers are studied under the isothermal loading and unloading condition. The multiaxial phase transformation of the SMA fibers is predicted using the phenomenological constitutive equations which can describe the two-step deformation due to the rhombohedral and martensitic transformations, and the inelastic behavior of the matrix material using the standard nonlinear viscoplastic model. The average behavior of the SMA composite is evaluated with the micromechanical method of cells. It is observed that the inelastic deformation of the matrix due to prior tension results in a compressive stress in the matrix after unloading of the SMA composite and this residual stress impedes the complete recovery of the pseudoelastic strain of the SMA fibers. This explains that a closed hysteresis behavior of the SMA composite is no longer observed in contrast with the case that an elastic behavior of matrix is assumed. The predicted local stress–strain behavior indicates that the cyclic response of matrix is crucial to the design of the hysteretic performance of the SMA composite under the repeated loading conditions.     

Thermodynamic description of the behavior of shape memory alloys by an additive Gibbs potential

Conditions of satisfying the dissipative inequality are found for the case where the Gibbs potential of a shape memory alloy (SMA) is assumed to be additive. The effective specific heat of the SMA is obtained as a function of temperature, strain, and strain rate in direct and reverse thermoelastic martensite transformations. A coupled one-dimensional problem of direct and reverse transformations in an SMA rod is solved. __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 47, No. 4, pp. 98–103, July–August, 2006.