Shakedown analysis of shape memory alloy structures

Phase transformational shakedown of a structure refers to a status that plastic strains cease developing after a finite number of loading cycles, and subsequently the structure undergoes only elastic deformation and alternating phase transformations with limited magnitudes. Due to the intrinsic complexity in the constitutive relations of shape memory alloys (SMA), there is as yet a lack of effective methods for modeling the mechanical responses of SMA structures, especially when they develop both phase transformation and plastic deformation. This paper is devoted to present an algorithm for analyzing shakedown of SMA structures subjected to cyclic or varying loads within specified domains. Based on the phase transformation and plastic yield criteria of von Mises-type and their associated flow rules, a simplified three-dimensional phenomenological constitutive model is first formulated accounting for different regimes of elastic–plastic deformation and phase transformation. Different responses possible for SMA bodies exposed to varying loads are discussed. The classical Melan shakedown theorem is extended to determine a lower bound of loads for transformational shakedown of SMA bodies without necessity of a step-by-step analysis along the loading history. Finally, a simple example is given to illustrate the application of the present theory as well as some basic features of shakedown of SMA structures. It is interesting to find that phase transformation may either increase or decrease the load-bearing capacity of a structure, depending upon its constitutive relations, geometries and the loading mode.