Shape memory alloys and their application in structural oscillations attenuation

The paper investigates the benefits that the SMA-behaviour can introduce in the dynamical response of a structural system. The influence of SMA tendons contributing to the overall strength of a simple elasticplastic structural model undergoing horizontal shaking and subject to vertical loads is firstly analysed, proving that coupling super-elastic members with elastic-plastic structures yields an excellent performance in attenuation both of the P-Delta effect and of the final residual deformation. In the second investigation, this system is looked at as an isolation device and is introduced in a m.d.o.f. elastic-plastic structural model; its attitude in suppressing plastic deformations in the super-structure is demonstrated. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.