A thermo-mechanically coupled finite element (FE) for the simulation of multi-layered shape memory alloy (SMA) beams admitting large displacements and rotations (LDRs) is developed to capture the geometrically nonlinear effects which are present in many SMA applications. A generalized multi-field beam theory implementing a SMA constitutive model based on small strain theory, thermo-mechanically coupled governing equations and multi-field kinematic hypotheses combining first order shear deformation assumptions with a sixth order polynomial temperature field through the thickness of the beam section are extended to admit LDRs. The co-rotational formulation is adopted, where the motion of the beam is decomposed to rigid body motion and relative small deformation in the local frame. A new generalized multi-layered SMA FE is formulated. The nonlinear transient spatial discretized equations of motion of the SMA structure are synthesized and solved using the Newton–Raphson method combined with an implicit time integration scheme. Correlations of models incorporating the present beam FE with respective results of models incorporating plane stress SMA FEs, demonstrate excellent agreement of the predicted LDRs response, temperature and phase transformation fields, as well as, significant gains in computational time.

The proposed article describes the development of a new beam finite element for the coupled thermomechanical analysis of shape memory alloy actuators. The element is formulated, assuming coupled equilibrium equations for the thermoelastic stresses and thermal loads. Displacements and temperature are treated as internal degrees of freedom giving the ability to predict the coupled thermal–displacement response of a shape memory alloy beam. The constitutive shape memory alloy model of Lagoudas and coworkers is implemented in the formulation. A generalized beam theory is formulated assuming shear deformation with a cubic temperature field through the thickness. The new element is capable to simulate heat transfer phenomena, electric Joule heating as direct input, and heat convection effects. The coupling between mechanical and thermal equilibrium equations due to endothermic/exothermic martensitic transformation procedures is also included. Numerical results and evaluations of the developed beam element are presented for the thermomechanical response of shape memory alloy wire actuators and an adaptive strip subject to various types of applied thermal loading and heat convection conditions. The effect of coupling terms on the prediction of shape memory alloy actuator response is also evaluated.

A physical constitutive model is combined with a new function expression that describes the hardening behaviour of Shape Memory Alloys to enable the accurate and efficient prediction of partial transformations during cyclic thermo-mechanical loading. The reversal point memory and the associated memory wipe-out are successfully modeled for single partial transformation Smart Materials and Structures

The present article investigates and explores the effect of partial phase transformation on the response of shape adaptive/morphing structures controlled by shape memory alloy wire actuators subject to variable trajectory and high actuation speed requirements, where the effect of partial transformation becomes more dominant. A modified constitutive model is adopted for the prediction of the thermo-mechanically coupled response on a trailing edge shape adaptive rib prototype intended for active load alleviation in large wind turbine blades, and the simulated behavior is subsequently correlated with experimental results. The experimentally validated model is further used to predict the response of the full-scale camber-line adaptive structure with shape memory alloy Ni51Ti49 wt% actuators in antagonistic configurations, under demanding operational time target trajectories at extreme turbulence conditions. Comparison of the results, with a case that omits partial transformation behavior, reveals substantial improvements in the predicted target trajectories, actuation speed, actuator stresses, and required operational temperature variation. The latter discloses the enhanced potential of shape memory alloy actuators to provide higher transformation rate and possibly higher fatigue life combined with lower energy demands toward the design and realization of efficient morphing structures.

Upscaling of wind turbine blades calls for implementation of innovative active load control concepts that will facilitate the flawless operation of the machine and reduce the fatigue and ultimate loads that hinder its service life. Based on aeroelastic simulations that prove the enhanced capabilities of combined individual pitch and individual flap control at global wind turbine scale level, a shape adaptive concept that encompasses an articulated mechanism consisting of two subparts is presented. Shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators are investigated and assessed as means to control the shape adaptive mechanism at airfoil section level in order to alleviate the developed structural loads. The concept is embedded in the trailing edge region of the blade of a 10‐MW horizontal axis wind turbine and acts as a flap mechanism. Numerical simulations are performed considering various wind velocities and morphing target shapes and trajectories for both normal and extreme turbulence conditions. The results prove the potential of the concept, since the SMA controlled actuators can accurately follow the target trajectories. Power requirements are estimated at 0.22% of the AEP of the machine, while fatigue and ultimate load reduction of the flap‐wise bending moment at the blade root is 27.6% and 7.4%, respectively.