Material Characteristics of Cu-Based Superelastic Alloys for Applications in Bridge Columns to Improve Seismic Performance

The mechanical properties of shape memory alloys (SMAs) have made them one of the most desirable smart materials applied in bridges. The supereleastic effect (SE) is particularly advantageous for dissipating seismic energy and protecting bridges in earthquake-prone regions.

The TRB IDEA (Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis) Program's NCHRP IDEA Final Report for Project 210: Material Characteristics of Cu-Based Superelastic Alloys for Applications in Bridge Columns to Improve Seismic Performance investigates the use of Cu-Al-Mn (CAM) shape memory alloys (SEAs), which are known to be cheaper and easier to machine.