Iron-based shape memory alloys for civil engineering structures: An overview

Iron-based shape memory alloys (SMAs), especially Fe–Mn–Si alloys, are materials that have great potential in civil engineering structures, but their application is still in a pioneer stage. Recent developments in alloy composition and manufacturing envisage new perspectives, especially in the field of repairing structures as well for new structures, when using these SMAs as prestressing tendons. This paper presents the fundamentals of the martensitic transformation from an engineering perspective as well as some key properties, such as recovery stress, corrosion resistance, weldability and workability. Finally, some unsolved aspects are collected, and new perspectives for the use of these SMAs are presented.