Estimation of hysteretic properties for pseudo-elastic materials

The applicability of Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) in structural dynamics, par ticularly as hysteretic damping elements, is limited by the difficulties in modelling their deformation characteristics. At typical engineering design levels of loading SMAs exhibit pseudo-elastic properties. The paper descri bes the estimation of the weight function of the Preisach model for the hys teretic properties of pseudo-elastic materials. This weight function was id entified in the stress space at constant temperature. The validation of the effectiveness of prediction for high order transformation curves was achie ved by comparison with experimental data. A very good agreement is obtained which establishes the effectiveness of the Preisach model for the modellin g of smart materials with hysteresis effects.