Modeling of magnetostrictive Galfenol sensor and validation using four point bending test

A magnetomechanical bending model has been developed to predict the magnetic induction, elastic, and magnetostrictive strain and bending stress in a magnetostrictive member subjected simultaneously to bending load and dc magnetic bias field. This model was obtained by coupling Euler-Bernoulli beam theory with an energy-based statistical model. The bending model predictions were within 10% of the experimental results obtained from a uniquely devised four point bending test of Galfenol (nominal composition of 84 at. % Fe and 16 at. % Ga) performed under different magnetic bias fields.