Development of Prestressed Concrete Using Fe–Mn–Si-Based Shape Memory Alloys Containing NbC

Abstract

This article reports the mechanical properties of concrete prestressed by the Fe–Mn–Si-based shape memory alloys containing NbC that exhibit an excellent shape memory effect without the so-called ‘training’ treatment. A thermomechanically treated Fe–28Mn–6Si–5Cr–0.53Nb–0.06C (mass%) alloy was used for this purpose. Four square bars of the alloy were embedded in mortar, and heated above their reverse martensitic transformation start temperature after hardening of the mortar matrix. Three-point bending tests were performed for the mechanical property characterization. It was found that prestressing by the shape memory alloys increased the bending strength and cracking stress of the mortar.