Behavior of Concrete Driven by Uniaxially Embedded Shape Memory Alloy Actuators

The behavior of a concrete specimen uniaxially embedded with a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire actuated by electrical current is studied in this paper. The main factors influencing the axial strain of the concrete specimen were examined through a sophisticated experimental program. The experimental results indicate that the SMA actuator can be employed as a way of prestressing for axial concrete specimens and can be used for controlling axial strain of concrete specimens. Also the influences of initial prestrain of SMA wires, modes activating electrical current, the actuation times, etc., on the axial strain behavior of concrete specimen are significant.