Computational modeling of porous shape memory alloys

In this study the mesoscopic behavior of porous shape memory alloys has been simulated with particular attention to the mechanical response under cyclic loading conditions. A recently developed constitutive law, accounting for full martensite reorientation as well as phase transformation, was implemented into the commercial finite element code ABAQUS. Due to stress concentrations in a porous microstructure, the constitutive law was enhanced to account for the development of permanent inelasticity in the shape memory matrix. With this simulation method, the complex interaction between porosity, local phase transformation and macroscale response has been evaluated. The results have implications for use of porous SMAs in biomedical and structural applications. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.