1997 Volume 63 Issue 615 Pages 3766-3771
Crack closure in an epoxy resin plate with embedded shape memory (SMA) as an actuator in intelligent structure members is investigated as a function of the length of crack, duration of the supply of electric current to SMA and the volume fraction of SMA under tensile loads using photoelastic experiments. The effect of heat generation due to the SMA in the plate is also investigated. The crack closure is evaluated by the stress intensity factor obtained from photoelastic fringes generated near the crack tip. The results show that the closure strongly depends on the crack length and duration of the current supply. The closure is not found in the plate with a crack which doesn't pass through SMA. A complete cessation of the supply causes the disappearance of the closure with time. Continuous current supply results in change in quality of the epoxy matrix and separation between SMA and the matrix. The intermittent current supply prevents the separation and maintains the closure.
Transactions of the Society of Mechanical Engineers
Transactions of the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers
Transactions of the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers Series A
Transactions of the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers Series B
TRANSACTIONS OF THE JAPAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS Series C
TRANSACTIONS OF THE JAPAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS Series B
TRANSACTIONS OF THE JAPAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS Series A
