Geometry optimization in buckling of a shape memory alloy column due to constrained recovery

Constrained recovery of a compressively prestrained shape memory alloy (SMA) is experimentally and theoretically investigated. Thermomechanical properties of the SMA during the process of constrained recovery are experimentally obtained. Optimization of geometry in buckling of an ideally straight, simply supported column with a nonconstant cross section due to constrained recovery is theoretically investigated. Using the experimentally obtained thermomechanical properties, the critical buckling force and temperature of the optimized column are calculated. Various experiments were conducted in order to verify the calculated results. The calculated critical load and predicted buckling temperatures show good agreement with buckling experiments reported in this article.