STRUCTURAL APPLICATIONS OF SMART MATERIALS

BY SANTHOSH C

INTRODUCTION

SMART MATERIALS
Smart materials are materials that have the intrinsic and extrinsic capabilities , firstly to respond to stimuli and environmental changes and secondly to activate their functions according to these changes.

Scope of smart materials

Structural designs constructed using smart materials which adopt performance based design aims in solving following problems
They act as actuators which can adapt to their environment by changing characteristics such as shape and stiffness. They perform as sensors providing actuators with information about structural and environmental changes.
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Smart Structure
An smart structure is a system that incorporates, smart materials which help in performing particular functions like sensing,transmitting and recording of data.

Smart structure aims at 5 basic function

DATA ACQUISITION
Collection of raw data required for

appropriate sensing and monitoring of the structure

DATA TRANSMISSION
Forwards raw data to the local/central command and control unit

COMMAND AND CONTROL PROCESS

Controls the whole systems by analyzing the data, deriving the appropriate conclusion and determining the actions required

DATA INSTRUCTIONS
Transmits the decision and associated instructions back to the member of the structure

ACTION DEVICE
It takes the action by triggering the

control device

ACTUATORS

Data

CONTROL

Data

SENSOR

Transmission

Transmission

CLASSIFICATION OF SMART MATERIALS PIEZOELECTRIC ELECTROSTRICTIVE MAGNETOSTRICTIVE

OPTICAL FIBERS
SHAPE MEMORY ALLOYS
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PROPERTIES OF SHAPE MEMORY ALLOYS

Repeated absorption of large amount of strain energy Usable strain range of 70% Extraordinary fatigue resistance under large strain cycle There great durability and reliability in the long run 10

SHAPE MEMORY ALLOYS

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SHAPE MEMORY ALLOYS

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SHAPE MEMORY ALLOYS

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STRUCTURAL USES
Active control of structures
Passive control of structures Smart material tag

Retrofitting
Self healing Structural health monitoring
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ACTIVE CONTROL OF STRUCTURES

The structure adapts its dynamic characteristics to meet the performance objectives at any instance.

PASSIVE CONTROL OF STRUCTURES

Two families of passive seismic control devices exploiting the peculiar properties of SMA components have been implemented They are special braces for framed structures and isolation devices for buildings and bridges
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Arrangement of SMA braces in framed model

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SMART MATERIAL TAG Used in composite structures Can be monitored externally throughout the life of the structure to relate the internal material conditions like moisture, voids,cracks may be interpreted via sensing.
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RETROFITTING
SMAs can be used as self stressing fibers and thus they can be applied for retrofitting Self-stressing fibers are the ones in which the reinforcement is placed into the composite in non stressed state Prestressing force is introduced into the system by providing SMAs Treatment can be applied at any time after hardening of the matrix instead of during its curing 18 and hardening

SELF-HEALING
Significant deformation beyond the first crack can be fully recovered and cracks can be fully closed.

STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING

use of piezo transducers, surface bonded to the structure or embedded in the walls of the structure can be used for structural health monitoring and local damage detection

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Substitute for steel?

The fatigue behavior of CuZnAl- SMAs is comparable with steel Larger diameter rods manufacture has potential for use in civil engineering applications

Use of fiber reinforced plastics with SMA reinforcements require future investigations
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OTHER APPLICATIONS OF SMART MATERIALS CARBON FIBER REINFORCED CONCRETE

Its ability to conduct electricity and most importantly, capacity to change its conductivity with mechanical stress makes a promising material for smart structure

The high density coupled with choice of fibers ranging from stainless steel to carbon applied under high pressure gives the product with outstanding qualities 21

Smart concrete
A mere addition of 0.5% of specially treated carbon fibers enables the increase of electrical conductivity of concrete
Addition of load reduces the conductivity of the concrete,on removing of load concrete regains its original conductivity Functions as a traffic sensing recorder when used as road pavement Used to lay smart highways to guide self steering cars which at present follow tracks of buried magnets

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ACTIVE RAILWAY TRACK SUPPORT

Use of optimal control methodology the train will pass the bridge with reduced track deflection and vibrations and thus 23 velocity could be safely increased

ACTIVE STRUCTURAL CONTROL AGAINST WIND

Aerodynamic control devices to mitigate the bi-directional wind induced vibrations in tall buildings are energy efficient Aerodynamic flap system (AFS) is an active system driven by a feed back control algorithm based on information obtained from the vibration sensors
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ACTIVE AERODYNAMIC CONTROL DEVICE 25

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Sensors atop flagpole measure movement,Dupont court

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Sensor box mounted on flag pole

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The 102-foot-tall flagpole in Dupont Court outside Building was outfitted with a specially designed system of sensors in February to monitor the motion of the flagpole in the wind.

These sensors provide measurements of the response of the structure to the wind, which are combined with measurements of wind conditions and temperature taken by sensors in an environmental monitoring station on top of Building.

Data from both sets of sensors is continuously transmitted to computers through wireless and wired connections

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Rion Antirion Bridge,Greece

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Commercial building, Canada

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CONCLUSION
The technologies using smart materials are useful for both new and existing constructions. Of the many emerging technologies available the few described here need further research to evolve the design guidelines of systems. Codes, standards and practices are of crucial importance for the further development.
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REFERENCES
1. N. Krstulovic-Opara
and A.E. Naaman, ACI Structural Journal, March-April 2000 (www.acijournals.com) 2. www.mybuild.com shape memory alloys and its applications 3. Jones,R.T.,Sirkis.J.S.,andFriebele,E.J.(1997)Detection of impact location and Magnitude for Isotropic plates Using Neural Networks,Journal of Intelligent material systems and Structures 4. www.cnn news.com

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