Introduction to Shape Memory Alloys for Concrete Confinement Applications

Recent structures struck by earthquakes revealed the deficiencies of their reinforced concrete (RC) column members to avoid progressive failure scenarios. Therefore, strengthening RC column is paramount to ensure the structural integrity and public safety in future events of earthquakes disasters. The critical need to replace traditional strengthening materials and techniques with more efficient and effective ones had led to the evolvement of smarter and innovative class of materials termed Shape Memory Alloys (SMA). The SMA possesses unique characteristic properties that lie in their ability to undergo large deformations and return to their undeformed shape through stress removal or heating. Limited research studies conducted using SMA have shown high potential for building industry applications. Thus, the main objective of this paper is to introduce Civil Engineers to the unique thermomechanical characteristics of SMA, along with a brief review on some of the confinement applications using SMA.