Flexural and free vibration control of smart epoxy composite beams using shape memory alloy wires actuator

Abstract

Shape memory alloys are increasingly used in numerous smart engineering structures. This study experimentally investigates static flexural and free vibration characteristics of composite beams reinforced with shape memory alloy wires. The key to this study is using shape memory alloy fibers as a means for influencing and tuning the static and dynamic responses of structures. A series of static three-point bending and modal experiments is performed to capture the capability of shape memory alloy wires in controlling the static and dynamic responses of a reinforced beam. Static and dynamic behaviors of the fiber-reinforced beam with different volumetric fiber fractions are examined. Before heat excitation, increasing the number of shape memory alloy wires leads to higher beam stiffness and lower beam deflection. However, with both heat activation and the higher number of shape memory alloy wires, beam deflection is significantly reduced. The modal vibration tests demonstrated that when shape memory alloy wires are not activated, the magnitude of natural frequencies slightly decreases by increasing the number of shape memory alloy wires. However, with heat excitation, the higher number of shape memory alloy wires, in contrast, increases the magnitude of natural frequencies. Furthermore, the higher number of activated shape memory alloy wires shows to predominantly increase the magnitude of higher modes of vibration rather than lower modes.

A new model-free control method for SMA wire actuators based on DRL

“…Due to its unique shape memory effect, when deformed by an external force, it can return to the pre-deformed shape by heating above the phase transition temperature [6,7]. Based on this unique property, SMAs have been designed as actuators of novel smart assistive knee brace mechanisms and also used for flexural and vibration control of engineering composite beams [8,9]. To precisely control the output force or displacement of the SMA actuator, the relationship between the temperature of SMA and its strain needs to be established accurately first, and then the temperature needs to be controlled accurately.…”

New control strategy for suppressing the local vibration of sandwich beams based on the wave propagation method

“…Allien et al (2020) experimentally investigated the effect of semi-active control on the vibration response of sandwich composite beams composed of chopped glass fibre-reinforced polyester resin polymer matrix composites (PMCs) and an MR fluid core. Gol Zardian et al (2020) experimentally investigated the effect and control of a shape memory alloy wire on the static and dynamic responses of composite beams. Khabaz et al (2020) presented active optimal control strategies for the vibration suppression of a microbeam with piezoelectric actuators and sensors using an LQR control strategy and modified couple stress theory.…”

Thermal buckling of trapezoidal composite laminated plates with embedded shape memory alloys

“…[ 4–7 ] Particularly, they are used in the form of wires (fibers), strips, layers, as well as spiral springs to improve and control the behavior of mechanical structures such as rods, beams, plates, and shells. [ 8–15 ] In recent years, much research has been done on the use of SMA wires to increase or delay the bucking temperature of composite structure. Among those available, Kumar and Singh [ 16 ] analyzed the thermal buckling and post‐buckling of multilayer composite plates containing SMAs using a nonlinear finite element method (FEM).…”