Numerical simulation of shape memory alloys at finite strains

A thermodynamically consistent model describing the shape memory effect and superelasticity at finite strains is developed [1]. It is Eulerian type and based on the additive decomposition of the stretching D and the multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient F [2]. A thermodynamic framework with internal variables is utilized in order to explain the occurrence of the martensitic phase transformation and its evolution [3]. Suitable evolution laws for the transformation strain and the mass fraction of martensite are proposed. The model is implemented into a Finite Element code, taking into account the thermomechanical coupling of the problem. Some results of numerical simulations with the implemented model are presented.