A study on thermomechanical deformation of elastic beam with embedded shape memory alloy wires

The bending deformation of an elastic beam with eccentrically embedded shape memory alloy (SMA) wires under the activation of electrical current has been investigated. A procedure, which accounts for the effect of transient heat transfer and gives rise to the beam bending responding to prescribed input electrical current profile is used for analysis. It is found that influences of ambient temperature, electric current intensity and prestrain of SMA on the bending deformation of beam are significant.