Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) based composites are unique because their static and dynamic characteristics can be controlled. Active modal modification and active strain energy tuning are two common techniques used to control the dynamics of SMA based composite materials. Using Active Modal Modification Technique (AMMT), the stiffness of the SMA composite can be modified by changing the temperature of the SMA. The stiffness change is a result of a reversible phase transformation, which is tempeature activated. The Active Strain Energy Tuning Method (ASETM) takes advantage of the SMA’s ability to impart forces to the structure thereby changing the stored strain energy within the composite. The result is a change in the modal characteristics of the composite material. This paper will present the results of the application of an AMMT used to modify the dynamic characteristics of an SMA composite. A rectangular example of quasi-isotropic SMA composite was used in this study. As a result of a temperature change, the stiffness of the composite changed. This change is stiffness altered the dynamic responses such as the resonant frequency of the composite. Time Average Opto-Electronic Holography (TAOEH) [6] was used to monitor the dynamic behavior of the structure. Analytical modeling was used along with the experimental results to obtain the temperature history of the composite as a result of the activation of the SMA.
The post-buckling improvement of the shape memory alloy composite plates through the active strain energy tuning using finite element method
