A finite element calculation for the design of devices made of shape memory alloys

In the first part of the paper a constitutive model for the pseudoelastic behavior of shape memory alloys (SMA) is presented in a finite element context The model frame (state equation and phase transition kinetics) is rapidly described. Then the implementation of the model into a finite element code based on a fully implicit method consisting in an elastic prediction and phase transition correction is presented. Hence, the stress tensor and the tangent operator are calculated at each displacement increment For a structural component as a thin plate subjected to bending loads, experimental data and finite element results are in a fair agreement. At last, an industrial application is treated for bronchial protheses used in medicine.