Transformation-induced plasticity in SMA composites experiencing fiber bridging phenomenon

The present study aims to investigate the fiber bridging phenomenon in the fracture of a composite sheet reinforced with shape memory alloy wires undergoing transformation-induced plasticity in pseudoelastic loading. To this end, the Entchev-Lagoudas thermomechanical model is used, and the necessary equations to describe the adiabatic conditions of nitinol fibers are extracted considering the transformation-induced plasticity. The formulation needed for the numerical implementation of the constitutive model of the shape memory alloy is then developed using the convex cutting plane algorithm. The force effect of the bridging fibers on the crack edges of the composite specimen is applied directly, and the extended finite element method is used to study the fracture of the cracked composite specimen. The present research examines the effects of temperature conditions, fiber volume fraction, matrix material, and residual stresses on the results.