Finite Element Analysis on Shape Memory Effect of Shape Memory Alloy Devices

The mechanical characteristic of shape memory alloys (SMAs) is generally discussed, classifying it into the superelasticity and the shape memory effect. In the present study, the three-dimensional finite element method previously developed for the superelastic behavior of SMA devices by the authors has been extended to the geometrically nonlinear analysis and applied to the analysis on the shape memory effect of a SMA bar, a SMA column and a SMA honeycomb core structure. The calculated results are qualitatively reasonable and have corresponded well in part with the experimental results in the literatures. Better identifications of the material constants and the initial imperfections are necessary in order to increase the accuracy of the calculated solutions.