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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 February 2011
SMAs are engineering alloys that recover extensive amounts of deformation when subjected to a temperature change. The recovery of deformation is as result of a phase transformation from martensite to austenite. For example, for NiTiNOL, a very popular SMA, this transformation occurs at 60°C. Actuation is a type of shape memory process that utilizes deformation recovery that is used in smart structural systems. These systems are designed to detect and control structural deformations due to external time varying loads encountered during functional operation. In this paper, the actuating properties of NiTiNOL are characterized using an analytical, computational, and experimental solution (ACES) methodology. Analytical models are utilized to calculate the deformation under dynamic loads. Finite element method (FEM) is used for computational investigations. Optoelectronic holography (OEH) is the experimental method utilized to obtain temperature dependent behavior of NiTiNOL. As a result of the phase transformation, NiTiNOL undergoes a stiffness change indicated by a change in the modulus of elasticity from 33 GPa to 75 GPa. Deformations of NiTiNOL samples subjected to static loads at different temperatures were measured indicating recovery of 85% due to the phase transformation. In addition, amplitudes of vibration were measured as a function of excitation frequency and temperature to determine the effects of phase transformation. The results show effectiveness of NiTiNOL in development of smart structural systems