Active strain-energy tuning of low actuator-fraction shape-memory alloy (SMA) hybrid composites

This paper investigates the effect of active strain-energy tuning (ASET) on the vibration response of low actuator-fraction shape memory alloy (SMA) h ybrid composites. It shows that in contrast to higher fraction materials, A SET results in reductions in resonance frequencies. There is also little ef fect of actuator strain in the range 4-6%. Analysis shows that the fundamen tal mechanism for frequency shifts is common to both high and low actuator- fraction laminates; differences arise only from the nature of the balances between matrix effects and the level of force available from the embedded a ctuators. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.