In an effort to mitigate damage caused by earthquakes to the built environment, civil engineers have been commissioned to research, design, and build increasingly robust and resilient structural systems. Innovative means to accomplish this task have emerged, such as integrating Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) into structural systems. SMAs are a unique class of materials that have the ability to spontaneously recover strain of up to 8%. With proper placement in a structural system, SMAs can act as superelastic "structural fuses", absorbing large deformations, dissipating energy, and recentering the structure after a loading event. Though few applications have made it into practice, the potential for widespread use has never been better due to improvements in material behavior and reductions in cost. In this research, three different SMA-based structural applications are developed and tested. The first is a tension/compression damper that utilizes nickel-titanium (NiTi) Belleville washers. The second is a partially restrained beam-column connection utilizing NiTi bars. The third is an articulated quadrilateral bracing system utilizing NiTi wire bundles in parallel with c-shape dampers. Each system was uniquely designed to allow a structure to undergo large drift demands and dissipate energy while retaining strength and recentering ability. This exploratory work highlights the potential for SMA-based structural applications to enhance seismic structural performance and community resilience.

This book introduces readers to the fundamental properties and practical applications of shape memory alloys (SMAs) from the perspective of seismic engineering. It objectively discusses the superiority of this novel class of materials, which could potentially overcome the limitations of conventional seismic control technologies. The results, vividly presented in the form of tables and figures, are demonstrated with rigorous experimental verifications, supplemented by comprehensive numerical and analytical investigations. The book allows readers to gain an in-depth understanding of the working mechanisms of various SMA-based structural devices and members, including beam-to-column connections, dampers, and braces, while also providing them with a broader vision of next-generation, performance-based seismic design for novel adaptive structural systems. Helping to bridge the gap between material science and structural engineering, it also sheds light on the potential of commercializing SMA products in the construction industry. The cutting-edge research highlighted here provides technical incentives for design professionals, contractors, and building officials to use high-performance and smart materials in structural design, helping them stay at the forefront of construction technology.

This book consists of two chapters. The first chapter deals with the thermomechanical macroscopic theory describing the transformation and deformation behavior of shape memory alloys. The second chapter deals with the extensive and fundamental review of the experimental works which include crystallography, transformations and mechanical characteristics in Ti-Ni, Cu-base and ferrous shape memory alloys.

Shape Memory Alloy Engineering: For Aerospace, Structural and Biomedical Applications, Second Edition embraces new advancements in materials, systems and applications introduced since the first edition. Readers will gain an understanding of the intrinsic properties of SMAs and their characteristic state diagrams. Sections address modeling and design process aspects, explore recent applications, and discuss research activities aimed at making new devices for innovative implementations. The book discusses both the potential of these fascinating materials, their limitations in everyday life, and tactics on how to overcome some limitations in order to achieve proper design of useful SMA mechanisms. - Provides a greatly expanded scope, looking at new applications of SMA devices and current research activities - Covers all aspects of SMA technology - from a global state-of-the-art survey, to the classification of existing materials, basic material design, material manufacture, and from device engineering design to implementation within actual systems - Presents the material within a modular architecture over different topics, from material conception to practical engineering realization

This Special Issue was created to collect the most recent and novel research on seismic performance evaluation of building structures. This issue includes three important topics on seismic engineering for building structures: (1) seismic design and performance evaluation, (2) structural dynamics, and (3) seismic hazard and risk analysis. To protect building structures from earthquakes, it is necessary to conduct seismic performance evaluations on structures with reliable methods and to retrofit these structures appropriately using the results of the seismic performance evaluation.

This book provides a systematic approach to realizing NiTi shape memory alloy actuation, and is aimed at science and engineering students who would like to develop a better understanding of the behaviors of SMAs, and learn to design, simulate, control, and fabricate these actuators in a systematic approach. Several innovative biomedical applications of SMAs are discussed. These include orthopedic, rehabilitation, assistive, cardiovascular, and surgery devices and tools. To this end unique actuation mechanisms are discussed. These include antagonistic bi-stable shape memory-superelastic actuation, shape memory spring actuation, and multi axial tension-torsion actuation. These actuation mechanisms open new possibilities for creating adaptive structures and biomedical devices by using SMAs.

This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue Shape Memory Alloys 2017" that was published in Metals