A study of pre-straining shape memory alloy (SMA)-based control elements subject to large-amplitude cyclic loads

• Published in: Ships and offshore structures Vol. 16; no. 3; pp. 306 - 313
• Main Authors: Zareie, Shahin, Zabihollah, Abolghassem
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Taylor & Francis 16.03.2021; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Alloying elements; Control; Control stability; Cyclic loads; Deformation; Dynamic stability; Energy dissipation; Energy exchange; Lateral loads; Lateral stability; Loads (forces); Offshore and coastal structures; Offshore structures; pre-straining; Shape; shape memory alloy; Shape memory alloys; stability; structural control systems; Winds
• ISSN: 1744-5302; 1754-212X
• DOI: 10.1080/17445302.2020.1726647

Dynamic environmental loads, such as winds and waves, make the stability of offshore structures at high risk, requiring reliable yet efficient control elements to ensure the stability of such structures under lateral loads. Among the variety of control elements that have been developed to enhance the stability of a structure, shape memory alloy (SMA)-based control elements are promising as they are low-cost, easy to embed into the main control element, and do not need an external power supply. However, cyclic loads may highly influence the performance and functionality of SMA-based elements. The present work investigates the effects of pre-straining SMA components in energy dissipation capacity and its force-displacement behaviour under cyclic loads. The results of experimental tests show that pre-straining SMA by 1.7% significantly reduces the residual deformation and increases the energy dissipation capacity of structures under the short and long-term cyclic loads.