Shape-memory alloys: macromodelling and numerical simulations of the superelastic behavior Original Research Article

Shape-memory alloys show features not present in materials traditionally used in engineering; as a consequence, they are the basis for innovative applications. A review of the available literature shows a dearth of computational tools to support the design process of shape-memory-alloy devices. A major reason is that conventional inelastic models do not provide an adequate framework for representing the unusual macrobehavior of shape-memory materials. The present work focuses on a new family of inelastic models, based on an internal-variable formalism and known as generalized plasticity. Generalized plasticity is adopted herein as framework for the development of one- and three-dimensional constitutive models for shape-memory materials.