A review on structural enhancement and repair using piezoelectric materials and shape memory alloys

In the past two decades, the active and controllable mechanical properties of piezoelectric materials and shape memory alloys have been widely employed in structural enhancement and repair with remarkable and interesting research findings. This article is designed to introduce and review these research findings. The active electromechanical property of piezoelectric materials is presented first. The research findings on both structural stability enhancement of engineering structures and repair of cracked/notched and delaminated structures under static and dynamic loadings via the piezoelectric materials follow. The active thermo-mechanical property of shape memory alloys and their applications in structural enhancement and repair are also briefly presented. Limitations of the current studies and recommended future endeavors are summarized as well. This review sums up different methodologies and designs in structural enhancement and repair using piezoelectric materials and shape memory alloys to promote new applications in the area.