Application and modelling of Shape-Memory Alloys for structural vibration control: State-of-the-art review

One of the most essential components of structural design for civil engineers is to build a system that is resistant to environmental conditions such as harsh chemical environments, and catastrophic disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes. Under these circumstances and disturbances, conventional building materials such as steel and concrete may demonstrate inadequate performance in the form of corrosion, deterioration, oxidizing, etc. Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) are novel metals with distinct features and desirable potential to overcome the inadequacies of existing construction materials and enable the structure to tolerate disturbances more efficiently. Shape Memory Effect (SME) and Pseudoelasticity (PE) have been the most attractive characteristics that scientists have focused on among the various features that SMAs exhibit. The SME enables the material to retain its original shape after severe deformation, whereas the PE behaviour of SMAs provides a wide range of deformation while mitigating a substantial amount of susceptible stresses. These behaviours are the consequence of the phase transformation between austenite and martensite. Many investigations on the modelling and application of SMAs in structural systems to endure applied dynamic loadings in the form of active, passive, and hybrid vibration control systems have been undertaken. The focus of this paper is to present an overview of the SMA-based applications and most frequently employed constitutive modelling, as well as their limits in structural vibration control and seismic isolation devices.