Behavior of shape memory alloy reinforced composite plates. I - Model formulations and control concepts

Abstract

Shape memory alloy (SMA) reinforced composites is a class of materials that have the ability to change their material properties, induce large internal distributed forces in a structure, can modify the stress and strain distribution within a structure, alter its geometric configuration, and do so all in a controlled manner. This unique mechanical behavior of SMA laminates introduces some complexity and special control characteristics or parameters in the formulation of the plate problems. It is through these special characteristics that active modal modification or active property tuning, active strain energy tuning, buckling control, and structural acoustic transmission control can be implemented. The control over the SMA reinforced composites is usually classified into active properties tuning and active strain energy tuning. Because of these special ways of tuning, the ideas of active control can be carried out in a more flexible way. Therefore, these two concepts will be emphasized in the discussions. In this paper, the formulations of the displacement, modal analysis, buckling, and acoustic transmission behavior of SMA reinforced plates are presented and the special mechanical characteristics and control parameters discussed. The results from these formulations will be shown in the companion paper (Part 11).