Topology optimization of planar shape memory alloy thermal actuators using element connectivity parameterization

This paper presents the direct application of topology optimization to the design of shape memory alloy (SMA) thermal actuators. Because SMAs exhibit strongly nonlinear, temperature‐dependent material behavior, designing effective multidimensional SMA actuator structures is a challenging task. We pu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal for numerical methods in engineering 2011-12, Vol.88 (9), p.817-840
Main Authors: Langelaar, M., Yoon, G. H., Kim, Y. Y., van Keulen, F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Actuators
element connectivity parameterization
Exact sciences and technology
Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications)
geometric nonlinearity
Intermetallics
material nonlinearity
Mathematical models
Nickel titanides
NiTi
Nonlinearity
Parametrization
Physics
Shape memory alloys
Solid mechanics
Static elasticity (thermoelasticity...)
Structural and continuum mechanics
Topology optimization
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Summary:This paper presents the direct application of topology optimization to the design of shape memory alloy (SMA) thermal actuators. Because SMAs exhibit strongly nonlinear, temperature‐dependent material behavior, designing effective multidimensional SMA actuator structures is a challenging task. We pursue the use of topology optimization to address this problem. Conventional material scaling topology optimization approaches are hampered by the complexity of the SMA constitutive behavior combined with large actuator deflections. Therefore, for topology optimization we employ the element connectivity parameterization approach, which offers improved analysis convergence and robustness, as well as an unambiguous treatment of nonlinear materials. A path‐independent SMA constitutive model, aimed particularly at the NiTi R‐phase transformation, is employed, allowing efficient adjoint sensitivity analysis. The effectiveness of the proposed SMA topology optimization is demonstrated by numerical examples of constrained and unconstrained formulations of actuator stroke maximization, which provide insight into the characteristics of optimal SMA actuators. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ISSN:0029-5981
1097-0207
1097-0207
DOI:10.1002/nme.3199