Effect of phase transformation on the shift in natural frequency of epoxy-shape memory alloy composite beam.

The fibre-reinforced composite structural members play an essential role in enhancing the strength-to-weight ratio of the structure. Smart reinforcing fibres like Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) provide an additional feature of adaptive stiffness to the structure. In this paper, SMA wire-reinforced epoxy resin composite is analyzed for change in natural frequency with respect to change in transformation temperature of SMA wires to reveal the difference in stiffness of composite beam, which is a function of change in transformation temperature from martensite to the austenite phase. The numerical study is carried out using FEA software, and the experimental validation of the same is completed. The natural frequency shift is predicted by measuring the natural frequencies of the composite for free-free boundary conditions at different transformation temperatures. The significant change in the natural frequency of composite is observed during the shift in transformation temperature, and the FEA results are close to experimental results with reasonable accuracy; thus, the proposed composite provides adaptive stiffness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]