Enhancement of stability of composite plates using shape memory alloy supports

The effectiveness of shape memory alloy (SMA) wires for the enhancement of stability of a simply supported, symmetrically laminated cross-ply composite plate has been examined. SMA wires were located outside the plate to simplify the manufacture and activation process and to reduce the thermal effects in the plate. The buckling load of a large aspect ratio plate was observed to be significantly increased using a system of SMA wires of a relatively small diameter, even if the spacing of these wires was quite large. It was observed that the stability could be further increased by either increasing the wire diameter or reducing the spacing. It was also observed that a couple of SMA wires supporting the center of a finite aspect ratio plate is sufficient for a large increase in the buckling load.