Nonlinear dynamics of a nonsmooth shape memory alloy oscillator

In the last years, there is an increasing interest in nonsmooth system dynamics motivated by different applications including rotor dynamics, oil drilling and machining. Besides, shape memory alloys (SMAs) have been used in various applications exploring their high dissipation capacity related to their hysteretic behavior. This contribution investigates the nonlinear dynamics of shape memory alloy nonsmooth systems considering a linear oscillator with a discontinuous support built with an SMA element. A constitutive model developed by Paiva et al. [Paiva A, Savi MA, Braga AMB, Pacheco PMCL. A constitutive model for shape memory alloys considering tensile-compressive asymmetry and plasticity. Int J Solids Struct 2005;42(11–12):3439–57] is employed to describe the thermomechanical behavior of the SMA element. Numerical investigations show results where the SMA discontinuous support can dramatically change the system dynamics when compared to those associated with a linear elastic support system. A parametric study is of concern showing the system behavior for different system characteristics, forcing excitation and also gaps. These results show that smart materials can be employed in different kinds of mechanical systems exploring some of the remarkable properties of these alloys.