Enhanced algorithm for nonlinear impact of rectangular composite plates with SMA wires, accurately tracing the instantaneous and local phase changes.

Abstract: Simultaneous spatial and time variations of the volume fractions of the martensite and austenite phases of the SMA elements of the hybrid composite plates due to local and instantaneous variations of the stresses have not been completely or accurately considered in the available researches. Moreover, the constitutive models proposed to date for the SMAs are mainly suitable for the global loading and unloading events and have to be modified for the local loading and unloading, and especially, the reverse loading events. In the present research, nonlinear impact analysis of laminated composite plates with embedded SMA wires is accomplished imposing some modifications to Brinson’s model to enable tracing local loading and unloading and reverse loading events and presenting a solution procedure for treating the simultaneous kinematic (strain–displacement), analysis (contact), and constitutive laws nonlinearities of the plate. The governing equations are derived based on an energy method and a finite element discretization. The local and instantaneous variations of the volume fraction of the martensite phase are considered to update the stiffness matrix of the entire plate. Different contact laws are considered for the loading and unloading phases. A comprehensive parametric study is performed to extract more practical and new conclusions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]