Purpose: The effect of shape memory and super-elastic property are two exclusive features in
shape memory alloys. To exploit the properties of shape memory effect, alloy needs to be heated,
but super-elastic property in these alloys will be proposed automatically in case suitable conditions.
Design/methodology/approach: In this study, with simulating short-square reinforced
concrete column experimental model in software ANSYS and in multi-level and increasing
process, longitudinal armatures with shape memory alloy material will replace steel armatures
with super-elastic behavior will be investigated with making shape memory alloy kind as
variable (copper and nickel-based alloys), the opportunity of super-elastic property emergence
in these alloys and with playing the role of longitudinal armature in reinforced concrete column.
Findings: It can generally be said that memory alloy will achieve to goal that its created
stresses will be located among stress of beginning direct phase and stress of finishing direct
phase and whatever these stresses are closer to finishing direct phase, alloy will have more
efficiency to propose its super-elastic property.
Research limitations/implications: In case of using shape memory alloys as
longitudinal armatures in reinforced concrete structures considering them buried in concrete,
exploitation of shape memory property will have its particular problems that these problems
won’t happen about the super-elastic property. Considering the high rate of strain capacity
(3 to 8%) in memory alloys with super-elastic behaviour and the limitation of this capacity
in concrete, conditions are necessary to be prepared in a way that memory alloy has the
opportunity to propose super-elastic property.
Originality/value: Except shape memory alloy that has proposing super-elastic behaviour
in concrete structures and is investigated in this study, other factors such as the rate of
resistance characteristic of pressure of concrete and mechanical characteristics of steel
armatures are effective in this case as well that can be good subjects for investigation.
Evaluation of Seismic Response of Concrete Structures Reinforced by Shape Memory Alloys (Technical Note)
