Learning Forum

[Tom Perkin]

I am a student looking to investigate Shape Memory Alloy Actuators.

On ANSYS I am wanting to model the expansion of a SMA wire with increasing Heat. I have been trying to use SS-Thermal and S-Structural for this. The main issue I am finding is defining the material. I created a new material, added in the Shape Memory effect, Thermal Expansion Coe and Isotropic thermal conductivity. Yet when I run the simulation I am getting results of maximum deformation of 9e-5M when I am expecting roughly 4mm.

There is more data I have for the material but I do not know how to add these to the material if I can get some advice. I have attached the properties I am hoping to use.

I am new to using ANSYS so still learning the basics. Thank you for your help.

 

[David Mercier]

 

Hi, I think you should have a look into this paper maybe: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1045389X11401450

To implement such material behaviour, you might have to create a usermat using MAPDL capabilities:

https://www.ansys.com/training-center/course-catalog/structures/ansys-mechanical-apdl-user-programmable-features-upfs