Numerical procedures are developed for the homogenization and evaluation of the
stress field in a composite as a consequence of the presence of embedded SMA
(shape-memory alloy) wires. In particular, the elastic field developed at the end of
the SMA wire self-strain process is studied, knowledge of which is necessary to
evaluate the feasibility of such a hybrid composite.
First, the numerical procedures are applied to the study of both a representative
volume element (RVE) included in a theoretically infinite periodic medium and
a RVE located near the medium free boundary, in order to evaluate the
tangential stress field generated at the end of the fiber; then they are applied to
the study of a plate able to bend after the effect of self-strain of the SMA
wire.
Observations are reported about the obtained results and about the similarities
and the differences between the two problems.