• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.4 no.3
• /
• pp.367-389
• /
• 2008

Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) are unique materials with a paramount potential for various applications in bridges. The novelty of this material lies in its ability to undergo large deformations and return to its undeformed shape through stress removal (superelasticity) or heating (shape memory effect). In particular, Ni-Ti alloys have distinct thermomechanical properties including superelasticity, shape memory effect, and hysteretic damping. SMA along with sensing devices can be effectively used to construct smart Reinforced Concrete (RC) bridges that can detect and repair damage, and adapt to changes in the loading conditions. SMA can also be used to retrofit existing deficient bridges. This includes the use of external post-tensioning, dampers, isolators and/or restrainers. This paper critically examines the fundamental characteristics of SMA and available sensing devices emphasizing the factors that control their properties. Existing SMA models are discussed and the application of one of the models to analyze a bridge pier is presented. SMA applications in the construction of smart bridge structures are discussed. Future trends and methods to achieve smart bridges are also proposed.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
• /
• v.39 no.5
• /
• pp.310-319
• /
• 2009

Objective: NiTi closed coil springs were reported to have relatively constant unloading forces. However, the characteristics of NiTi closed coil springs from various manufacturers have not been elucidated. The purpose of this study was to compare load-deflection characteristics of various NiTi closed coil springs and to find out the optimal range of extension. Methods: Seven kinds of NiTi closed coil springs from five manufacturers were tested. Load deflection curves were obtained at extension ranges from 2 mm to 30 mm. Also, springs were kept extended during a 4 week period, and then load deflection curves were obtained again. Results: Sentalloy (Tomy) and Jinsung blue (Jinsung) showed superelasticity in every extension ranges tested and showed plastic deformation of less than 1 mm. Ni-Ti (Ormco) showed superelasticity only after the springs were extended at or more than 10 mm, thereby meaning that clinicians should extend these springs at or more than 10 mm to utilize the superelasticity. Orthonol (RMO) and Nitanium (Ortho Organizers) did not show superelasticity. After 4 weeks of extension, all springs showed plastic deformation less than 1 mm when the extension was at or under 25 mm. Conclusions: The superelastic behavior of NiTi closed springs were different among various NiTi spring products, and some NiTi closed springs failed to show superelasticity.

• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.207-219
• /
• 2022

Seismic response control has always been a grave concern with the damage and collapse of many buildings during the past earthquakes. While there are several existing techniques like base isolation, viscous damper, moment-resisting beam-column connections, tuned mass damper, etc., many of these are succumbing to either of large displacement, near-fault, and long-period earthquakes. Keeping this viewpoint, extensive research on the application of smart materials for seismic response control of buildings was attempted during the last decade. Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) with its unique properties of superelasticity and shape memory effect is one of the smart materials used for seismic control of buildings. In this paper, an exhaustive review has been compiled on the seismic control applications of SMA in buildings. Unique properties of SMA are discussed in detail and different phases of SMA along with crystal characteristics are illustrated. Consequently, various seismic control applications of SMA are discussed in terms of performance and compared with prevalent base isolators, bracings, beam-column connections, and tuned mass damper systems.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.495-508
• /
• 2018

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) exhibit superelasticity given the ambient temperature is above the austenite finish temperature threshold, the magnitude of which significantly depends on the metal ingredients though. For the monocrystalline CuAlBe SMAs, their superelasticity was found being maintained even when the ambient temperature is down to $-40^{\circ}C$. Thus this makes such SMAs particularly favorable for outdoor seismic applications, such as the framed structures located in cold regions with substantial temperature oscillation. Due to the thermo-mechanical coupling mechanism, the hysteretic properties of SMAs vary with temperature change, primarily including altered material strength and different damping. Thus, this study adopted the monocrystalline CuAlBe SMAs as the kernel component of the SMA braces. To quantify the seismic response characteristics at various temperatures, a wide temperature range from -40 to $40^{\circ}C$ are considered. The middle temperature, $0^{\circ}C$, is artificially selected to be the reference temperature in the performance comparisons, as well the corresponding material properties are used in the seismic design procedure. Both single-degree-of-freedom systems and a six-story braced frame were numerically analyzed by subjecting them to a suite of earthquake ground motions corresponding to the design basis hazard level. To the frame structures, the analytical results show that temperature variation generates minor influence on deformation and energy demands, whereas low temperatures help to reduce acceleration demands. Further, attributed to the excellent superelasticity of the monocrystalline CuAlBe SMAs, the frames successfully maintain recentering capability without leaving residual deformation upon considered earthquakes, even when the temperature is down to $-40^{\circ}C$.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.89-102
• /
• 2020

Shape memory alloy (SMA)-based Superelasticity-assisted Slider (SSS) is proposed as an engineering solution to practically exploit the well-accepted advantages of both sliding isolation and SMA-based recentering. Self-centering capability in SSS is provided by austenitic SMA cables (or wire ropes), recently attracting a lot of interest and attention in earthquake engineering and seismic isolation. The cables are arranged in various novel and conventional configurations to make SSS versatile for aseismic design and retrofit of structures. All the configurations are detailed with thorough technical drawings. It is shown that SSS is applicable without the need for Isolation Units (IUs). IUs, at the same time, are devised for industrialized applications. The proof-of-concept study is carried out through the examination of mechanical behavior in all the alternative configurations. Force-displacement relations are determined. Isolation capabilities are predicted based on the decreases in seismic demands, estimated by the increases in effective periods and equivalent damping ratios. Restoring forces normalized relative to resisting forces are assessed as the criteria for self-centering capabilities. Lengths of SMA cables required in each configuration are calculated to assess the cost and practicality. Practical implementation is realized by setting up a small-scale IU. The effectiveness of SSS under seismic actions is evaluated using an innovative computer model and compared to those of well-known Isolation Systems (ISs) protecting a reference building. Comparisons show that SSS seems to be an effective IS and suitable for earthquake protection of both structural and non-structural elements. Further research aimed at additional validation of the system are outlined.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.24-27
• /
• 2011

Effect of substitution of Mn for Ni on transformation behavior, shape memory characteristics and superelasticity of Ti45Ni-5Cu alloy has been investigated by means of electrical resistivity measurements, X-ray diffraction, thermal cycling tests under constant load and tensile tests. The one-stage B2-B19' transformation occurred when Mn content was 0.5 at%, above which the two-stage B2-B19-B19' transformation occurred. A temperature range where the B19 martensite exists was expanded with increasing Mn content because decreasing rate of Ms (60 K / % Mn) was larger than that of Ms' (40 K / % Mn). Ti-(45-x)Ni-5Cu-xMn alloys were deformed in plastic manner with a fracture strain of 60 % ~ 32 % depending on Mn content. Clear superelasticity was found in fully annealed Ti-(45-x)Ni-5Cu-xMn alloys with Mn content more than 1.0 at%, which was ascribe to a solid solution hardening by substitution of Mn for Ni.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.3-7
• /
• 2009

Variation in oxidation behavior with heat treatment temperature is investigated for a Ni-Ti alloy using X-ray diffraction, DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) and Auger electron spectroscopy. And the effect of oxidation on transformation behavior and superelasticity is characterized. A cold-worked 50.6Ni-Ti alloy is oxidized at 300-$700^{\circ}C$ for 1 hr in the air atmosphere. With an increase in heating temperature, the structure of $TiO_2$ changes from amorphous (300 and $400^{\circ}C$) to anatase ($500^{\circ}C$), and to rutile ($700^{\circ}C$). Activation energy of oxidation for NiTi is measured to be 51 Kcal/mol when heating temperature is $500^{\circ}C$ or above. Since Ti reacts preferably with oxygen, Ni content increases between matrix and oxide, forming $Ni_{3}Ti$ compounds. The resultant of oxidation decreases significantly $M_s$ and $A_s$ temperature in the specimen oxidized at $900^{\circ}C$ with $B_2{\rightarrow}M$ transformation path. An extra is found on cooling between two peaks in the specimen with $B_2{\rightarrow}R{\rightarrow}M$ one which is oxidized at $900^{\circ}C$ and aged at $500^{\circ}C$. Oxidation deteriorates superelasticity due to formation of Ni-rich compound.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.187-191
• /
• 2009

Microstructures and shape memory characteristics of $Ti_{50}Ni_{20}Cu_{30}$ alloy strips fabricated by arc melt overflow have been investigated by means of XRD, optical microscopy and DSC. The microstructure of as-cast strips exhibited columnar grains normal to the strip surface. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that one-step martensitic transformation of B2-B19 occurred in the alloy strips. According to the DSC analysis, it was known that the martensitic transformation temperature ($M_s$) of B2 $\rightarrow$ B19 in $Ti_{50}Ni_{20}Cu_{30}$ strip is $57^{\circ}C$. During thermal cyclic deformation with the applied stress of 60 MPa, transformation hysteresis and elongation associated with the B2-B19 transformation were observed to be $3.7^{\circ}C$ and 1.6%, respectively. The as-cast strip of $Ti_{50}Ni_{20}Cu_{30}$ alloy also showed a superelasticity and its stress hysteresis was as small as 14 MPa. These mechanical properties and shape memory characteristics of the alloy strips were ascribed to B2-B19 transformation and the controlled microstructures produced by rapid solidification of the arc melt overflow process.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.183-193
• /
• 2022

Structural health monitoring and structural vibration control are multidisciplinary and frontier research directions of civil engineering. As intelligent materials that integrate sensing and actuation capabilities, shape memory alloys (SMAs) exhibit multiple excellent characteristics, such as shape memory effect, superelasticity, corrosion resistance, fatigue resistance, and high energy density. Moreover, SMAs possess excellent resistance sensing properties and large deformation ability. Superfine NiTi SMA wires have potential applications in structural health monitoring and micro-drive system. In this study, the mechanical properties and electrical resistance sensing characteristics of superfine NiTi SMA wires were experimentally investigated. The mechanical parameters such as residual strain, hysteretic energy, secant stiffness, and equivalent damping ratio were analyzed at different training strain amplitudes and numbers of loading-unloading cycles. The results demonstrate that the detwinning process shortened with increasing training amplitude, while austenitic mechanical properties were not affected. In addition, superfine SMA wires showed good strain-resistance linear correlation, and the loading rate had little effect on their mechanical properties and electrical resistance sensing characteristics. This study aims to provide an experimental basis for the application of superfine SMA wires in engineering.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.20-26
• /
• 2008

It is well know that the structure of shape memory alloy (SMA) can change from martensite austenite by either temperature or stress. Due to their inherent shape recovery properties, SMA fiber can be used such as for stress or cure-monitoring sensor or actuator, during applied stress or temperature. Incomplete superelasticity was observed as the stress hysteresis at stress-strain curve under cyclic loading test and temperature change. Superelasticity behavior was observed for the single-SMA fiber/epoxy composites under cyclic mechanical loading at stress-strain curve. SMA fiber or epoxy embedded SMA fiber composite exhibited the decreased interfacial properties due to the cyclic loading and thus reduced shape memory performance. Rigid epoxy and the changed interfacial adhesion between SMA fiber and epoxy by the surface treatment on SMA fiber exhibited similar incomplete superelastic trend. Epoxy embedded single SMA fiber exhibited the incomplete recovery during cure process by remaining residual heat and thus occurring residual stress in single SMA fiber/epoxy composite.