Case studies of smart materials for civil structures

In this paper, three case studies intending to apply smart materials to civil structures are presented. The first one is a study of response control using piezoelectric actuators. Actuators are inserted into the bottom of a column to produce a bending moment force. A control algorithm using the model matching method is introduced, and this algorithm is checked in shaking table tests of a four story frame. The second one is damage sensing of a structural member, using electric resistance characteristics of shape memory alloys. The relationship between electrical resistance and strain of shape memory alloy wire is studied and the maximum strain of the specimen which is regarded as a structural member is estimated. The third one is an energy dissipation device using super-elastic characteristics of a shape memory alloy. A basic energy dissipation device model using nitinol wire is proposed. The energy dissipation capacity is investigated by device tests, and an analytical model is constructed based on the test results.