Modeling for piezoelectric-shape memory alloy composites

A new concept of a piezoelectric ceramic/shape memory alloy (SMA) composite is proposed with aim of using this as a new actuator material with fast actuation speed and large strain. To prove the new concept, a new model is constructed based on Eshelby formulation where linear piezoelectric constitutive equations and bi-linear superelastic equations of SMA are used. The predictions of the strain induced by applied stress and electric field are made for two simple designs of piezo–SMA composites, 1-D series and 1-D parallel laminated composites. The proposed model indicated that 1-D parallel laminate provides the highest strain induced under bias stress and applied electric field among other composite geometries.