Numerical Investigations of Shape Memory Alloy Fatigue

Abstract

This work deals with numerical investigations of the functional and structural fatigue on shape memory alloys (SMAs). A thermodynamically consistent, three-dimensional constitutive model is employed, adopting a continuum damage perspective. Fatigue life is predicted by considering a macroscopic model. Numerical simulations are compared with experimental data taken from the literature to demonstrate the model’s ability to capture the general thermomechanical behavior of SMAs subjected to different loading conditions. Uniaxial and torsion tests are discussed; thermal loads are also analyzed considering the influence of the maximum temperature on the fatigue life of SMAs. Cyclic degradation of the shape memory effect is investigated in the sequence. Results show that numerical simulations are in good agreement with the experimental data, including the fatigue life estimation.