Behavior of Smart Beams Reinforced with Superelastic Shape Memory Alloy Rebar (SMA)Subjected to Repeated Loading

Abstract

A reinforced concrete beam with shape memory alloy rebar (SMA) is a novel form of smart beam used in smart seismic structural systems to reduce the effects of earthquakes while keeping nearly the same load-carrying capability as conventional concrete beams. The experimental research investigation is carried out to study beams' flexural behavior by replacing some steel rebars with shape memory alloy rebars (SMAs) in the longitudinal reinforcement zone. The experimental program included testing three beams to investigate the effects of the replacement of longitudinal steel rebar by shape memory alloy rebar on the flexure behaviour of beams. The beams were tested by the repeated load. The study was focused on determining ultimate load, maximum deflection, and load-deflection behaviour. Experimentally, the flexure behaviour beams are significantly affected by changing the number of reinforcing bars with shape memory alloys (SMA) longitudinal direction. However, for using one rebar of shape memory alloy as a longitudinal reinforcement, the replacement of one bar and two bars of shape memory alloy SMA beams have less yield load than the control beam by about (12.5%) and (37.5%) respectively. The replacement of one bar and two bars of shape memory alloy SMA beams having less ultimate load compared with reference beam by about (9.82%) and (21.94%) respectively. Because of its superelasticity quality, the introduction of superelastic SMA bars to the beam shows excellent recentering ability.