materials

Article
Uniaxial Compressive Behavior of Concrete Columns
Confined with Superelastic Shape Memory
Alloy Wires
Chenkai Hong 1,2 , Hui Qian 3, * and Gangbing Song 4
1 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China;
[email protected]
2 Zhejiang Engineering Technology Research Center of Civil Engineering Industrialized Construction,
Ningbo University of Technology, Ningbo 315211, China
3 School of Civil Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
4 Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA;
[email protected]
* Correspondence: [email protected]




Received: 31 December 2019; Accepted: 25 February 2020; Published: 9 March 2020


Abstract: Superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) exhibits the ability to undergo large deformations
before reverting back to its undeformed shape following the removal of the load. This unique property
underlies its great potential in the seismic design and retrofitting of structure members. In this paper,
superelastic SMA wires were utilized to confine concrete cylinders to enhance their axial compressive
behavior. The axial carrying and deformation capacities of SMA-confined concrete cylinders are
assessed by uniaxial compression testing on a total of eight SMA-confined concrete columns and one
unconfined column. The influence of the amount of SMA and the prestrain level of SMA wires, as well
as the reinforcing mode, on the axial carrying and deformation capacity of confined concrete columns
were considered. The analysis focuses on the axial carrying capacity and deformation performance of
concrete columns reinforced with superelastic SMA under different loading conditions. Based on
the experimental data and analysis results, it is found that superelastic SMA wires can increase the
axial loading capacity and enhance deformation performance of concrete columns. Under the same
loading condition, the ultimate bearing capacity of SMA-confined concrete columns increases as the
increasing of the amount of SMA wire. The results of this study verify the effectiveness of superelastic
SMA in enhancing the loading capacity and deformation behavior of concrete cylinders.

Keywords: shape memory alloy; superelasticity; concrete columns; uniaxial compression behavior

1. Introduction
Civil infrastructures are often operated in environments with adverse factors, such as corrosion [1,2],
vibration and fatigue [3,4], impacts [5–8], seismic excitations [9–11], strong wind or hurricane [12],
among others, and these adverse factors often result in component and/or structural damages,
which should be detected and repaired in time to prevent catastrophic events from happening [13].
Structural health monitoring (SHM) [13,14] and damage detection [14–18] and structural retrofit and
repair [19,20] have been developed to address these two issues. Concrete columns are commonly
used in civil infrastructures, and SMH and retrofit of concrete columns have been actively researched.
In particular, retrofitting and repair concrete columns receives increasing attention.
Experimental tests conducted by Andrawes and Shin [20], as well as the damage investigation and
analysis of engineering structures in the Wenchuan earthquake and the East Japan earthquake, show that
concrete columns offer good compression and stiffness performance, however poor deformability. A

Materials 2020, 13, 1227; doi:10.3390/ma13051227 www.mdpi.com/journal/materials

Materials 2020, 13, 1227 2 of 19

sharp increase of the external load applied to the concrete columns during an earthquake motion,
can easily result in brittle fractures due to that the columns reached the ultimate carrying capacity.
The safety and reliability of the entire structure may then be threatened, and more serious damage
such as total collapse could occur. Therefore, it is of great significance to find effective methods to
enhance the bearing and deformation capacities of the concrete columns.
Previous studies have shown that confinement constraints can effectively improve the axial
compression performance of concrete columns [21–23]. Due to the good ductility of the materials,
such as steel, fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP), shape memory alloy (SMA), the concrete column can
obtain corresponding deformability and attain the ability to withstand large loads after reaching the
ultimate bearing capacity [24–28]. Thus, the concrete structure has a stronger deformability and avoids
overall failure or collapse damage.
Shape memory alloy (SMA) is a new smart material with functions both of sensoring and actuating [29].
The unique shape memory effect and superelastic properties (with a recoverable deformation of greater
than 8%) provide SMA with the ability to enhance the compression performance of concrete columns [30].
The main advantage of SMA is that prestress can be applied through temperature phase change and
shape memory effect, and a large hysteretic energy dissipation and self-reset ability due to the superelastic
characteristics [31]. Hence, semi-active control and active control of the structure can be achieved.
In addition, compared with steel, SMA exhibits higher strength/weight ratio (or strength/volume ratio),
higher corrosion resistance, and better fatigue performance under cyclic loading [32–36].
Recently, it has attracted increasing attentions from researchers to use the SMA material to
improve the compression performance of concrete column. Andrawes and Shin [20,37] proposed a
thermally triggered prestress of prestrained SMA spirals as a means of applying active confinement to
concrete columns. And the experimental and numerical study showed that under horizontal cyclic
loading, the column reinforced with the SMA spirals was able to sustain larger force and drift and
dissipate more hysteretic energy compared to that with glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) only.
Choi et al. [23,24,38] used heated pre-elongated martensite SMA wire and tightly wound austenitic
SMA wires to obtain prestressed reinforced concrete (RC) cylinders, and studied their axial compression
behavior. The test results show that, although the martensitic wires increased the ultimate strength
by about only 7% and the ultimate strength of concrete cylinders remained the same as that of plain
concrete cylinders due to the post-tensioning stress on austenitic SMA wires was not introduced, but
the failure strain of SMA wires RC cylinders increased significantly, by up to 20%, and the energy
dissipation capacity improved. Furthermore, by applying the same rate in a volume configuration, the
enhanced bearing capacity of the SMA concrete columns was similar to steel casing reinforcement.
Chen [39] conducted an experimental study on this new confinement technique using SMA
spirals as internal transverse reinforcement in square columns. The experimental results demonstrate
that, compared with traditional steel transverse reinforcement, SMA spirals effectively delay the
longitudinal rebar buckling and significantly reduce strength degradation. Chen [40] demonstrated that
SMA-confined concrete has greater strength and ductility than steel-based passive RC. Both Shin [41,42]
and Chen [25,43] reported that SMA confinement with prestress heat treatment effectively improves the
ductility and seismic behavior of vulnerable RC columns over fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP). Park et
al. [44] and Pratik et al. [45] applied axial cyclic loading to concrete columns reinforced by prestressed
martensitic SMA and steel casing, respectively. The results show that the skeleton curve of the concrete
columns reinforced by martensitic SMA is similar to the plastic strain curve of concrete columns
reinforced by steel casing In addition, in the process of repeated loading, the hysteretic feature of
SMAs allows the concrete columns to undergo larger circumferential strain and consume more energy
than steel casing RC columns. Furthermore, Aliakbar et al. [46] also applied a confining pressure to
two types of strength (normal-strength concrete (NSC) and high-strength concrete (HSC) of concrete
columns based on the effect of the temperature on the recovery stress of SMA. The compression test
results of SMA-confined concrete specimens show that an increase in the prestrain level leads to
significantly increases the compressive strength and corresponding axial strain. The 9.5% pre-strained
Materials 2020, 13, 1227 3 of 19

SMA spirals confined normal-strength concrete and high-strength concrete specimens exhibit 2.1
and 3.4 times of the strength enhancement, respectively, and reveal 1.9 and 2.3 times of the strain
enhancement, respectively, compared to those of the unstrained specimens.
The superior performance of SMA is also applied to the enhancement of other structures and
approaches. Saiidi et al. [47] experimentally tested the ability of superelastic SMA reinforcement to
recover deformations in concrete beams under cyclic loading. The results showed that the average
residual displacement in the superelastic SMA reinforced beams was less than 1/5 of that of the steel
reinforced beams. Abdulridha et al.’s research [48] also proved that SMA bars can well limit the
residual displacement and crack width of the beam. Rojob et al. [49] and Michels et al. [50] anchored
iron-based SMA bars inside concrete beams and applied a prestressing force through heat treatment.
The results revealed a significant increase in the load capacities and ductile tensile behavior. Alam and
Youssef [51,52] applied superelastic SMA rebars to reinforce beam–column joints under reversed cyclic
loading and found that the residual displacements was even negligible in the SMA–RC beam–column
joint compared to that of the conventional steel–RC beam–column joint. In addition, SMA–RC
beam–column joint’s plastic hinge region away from the column face to a distance of approximately
half of the beam-depth more than that of steel–RC beam–column joint, which resulted in higher
energy dissipation. Shajil et al. [53] compared the load-deformation characteristics of concrete beams
reinforced with the superelastic SMA fibers and the steel fibers under cyclic loading and reported
that the superelastic SMA fibers reinforced concrete exhibited significant self-centering characteristics
in comparison to the steel fibers in the post-cracked conditions. Kim et al. [54] applied short SMA
fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (SMA-FRCC) to concrete columns. Heat treatment noticeably
increased the Young’s modulus of the SMA-FRCCs under tension due to the shape-memory effects.
Nehdi and Ali [55] conducted numerical and experimental investigations and found that incorporating
SMA fibers into engineered cementitious composites yielded superior impact resistance. Wang et al. [56]
introduced the use of SMA bolts to steel columns. They found that the steel columns equipped with
SMA bolts showed a satisfactory self-centering and energy dissipation capabilities under bidirectional
loading and multi-earthquake loading. It is clear from the existing research results that SMA is an
excellent material for reinforcing concrete members. However, the shape memory effect of thermally
activated martensitic SMA wire have been utilized in most of studies to constrain concrete columns
owing to the difficulty to apply prestress with different levels on superelastic SMA, which leads to a
large prestress loss of the SMA wire, the difficulty of final prestrain measurement, and the limited
lateral restraint effect. The research of utilizing austenite SMA to directly impose active constraints
on concrete columns is rare. Therefore, experimental studies are needed to explore the behavior and
investigate the feasibility of austenitic superelastic SMA actively constrained concrete columns.
This paper presents a new practical method using superelastic SMA wires with adjustable
pre-stressing force levels, to achieve confinement function for concrete columns. In addition,
the experiments of SMA wires and concrete columns confined with prestrained superelastic SMA wires
are discussed in detail to analyze the mechanical properties of SMA wires and axial load carrying
capacity mechanism and mechanical properties of columns. It is hoped that the results of this research
can promote the development of construction technique of superelastic SMA active restraint concrete
member and contribute to the improvement of existing concrete member restraint technique.

2. Materials

2.1. Superelastic SMA Wires

In this study, homoeothermic superelastic NiTi SMA wires with a diameter of 1.2 mm were used
(TN3-type, produced by Xi’an Saite Metal Material Development Co., Ltd., Xi’an, China). The chemical
composition of the wires was Ni-49.1Ti (at.%), and the reverse martensite transformation temperature
(Af) was −10 ◦ C.
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13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 44of
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Materials 2020, 13, x1227
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21

To determine the mechanical properties of the SMA wires, cyclic loading tests were
To determine the mechanical properties of the SMA wires, cyclic loading tests were
To determine
conducted using thetheCMT
mechanical properties
universal materialoftesting
the SMA wires, (Shenzhen
machine cyclic loading
Sunstests were conducted
Technology Stock
conducted
using the usinguniversal
CMT the CMT universal
material material
testing testing (Shenzhen
machine machine (Shenzhen
Suns Suns Technology
Technology Stock Co.,Stock
Ltd.,
Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, China). The test setup is shown in Figure 1. A loading rate of 0.0005/s and
Co., Ltd.,
Shenzhen, Shenzhen,
China). The China). The test setup is shown in Figure 1. A loading rate of 0.0005/s and
loading amplitude of test
6% setup
were is shown in
applied. Figure21.shows
Figure A loading
the rate of 0.0005/srelationship
stress-strain and loading curves
amplitudeof
loading amplitude
applied. of 6% were applied. Figure 2 shows the stress-strain relationship curves of
SMA wire under 10 cyclic load. The results show that the superelastic SMA wires have 10
of 6% were Figure 2 shows the stress-strain relationship curves of SMA wire under cyclic
a stable
SMA
load. wire under 10
The results cyclic
show thatload. The results show
the superelastic that the
SMA wires superelastic
have SMA wiresyield
a stable mechanical havepoint
a stable
and
mechanical yield point and sustained force performance after yielding. As the number of loading
mechanical yield point and sustained force performance after yielding. As the number
sustained force performance after yielding. As the number of loading cycles increases, the hysteresis of loading
cycles increases, the hysteresis curve becomes stable. Table 1 shows the mechanical properties
cycles increases,
curve becomes the hysteresis
stable. curve
Table 1 shows the becomes
mechanicalstable. Tableof11.20
properties shows
mmthe SMAmechanical properties
wire materials used in
of 1.20 mm SMA wire materials used in the test. The yield strength of the 1.20 mm SMA wires is
of
the test. The yield strength of the 1.20 mm SMA wires is 442.32 MPa, the strength under 6% strain is
1.20 mm SMA wire materials used in the test. The yield strength of the 1.20 mm SMA wires is
442.32 MPa, the strength under 6% strain is 542.10 MPa, and the elastic modulus is 247.94 GPa.
442.32
542.10 MPa, the strength
MPa, and the elasticunder
modulus6% strain is 542.10
is 247.94 GPa. MPa, and the elastic modulus is 247.94 GPa.

Force Sensor
Force Sensor
Fixture
Fixture

SMA Wires
SMA Wires Extensometer
Extensometer

Figure
Figure1.
1.Tensile
Tensile test
test of
of shape
shape memory
memory alloy
alloy (SMA)
(SMA) material.
material.
Figure 1. Tensile test of shape memory alloy (SMA) material.

600
600

500
500
Stress/MPa

400
Stress/MPa

400

300
300
1st Circle
1st Circle
200 2nd Circle
200 2nd Circle
4th Circle
4th
6th Circle
Circle
6th Circle
100 8th Circle
100 8th Circle
10th Circle
10th Circle
0
0
0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07
0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07
Strain
Strain
Figure 2.
Figure Stress–straincurves
2. Stress–strain curvesof
ofSMA
SMA wire.
wire.
Figure 2. Stress–strain curves of SMA wire.
Table 1. Mechanical properties of 1.20 mm SMA wire materials.
Table 1. Mechanical properties of 1.20 mm SMA wire materials.
Table 1. Mechanical properties of 1.20 mm SMA wire materials.
Diameter Nominal Cross-sectional Young’s Yield 6% Strain Strength
(mm) Area (mm2 ) Cross-
Nominal Modulus
Young’s(GPa) Strength
Yield (MPa) (MPa)
6% Strain
Nominal Cross- Young’s Yield 6% Strain
Diameter
1.20 1.13 247.94 442.32 542.10
Diameter sectional Area Modulus Strength Strength
sectional Area Modulus Strength Strength
(mm)
(mm) (mm22) (GPa) (MPa) (MPa)
(mm ) (GPa) (MPa) (MPa)
1.20 1.13 247.94 442. 32 542.10
1.20 1.13 247.94 442. 32 542.10
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Materials 2020, 13, 1227 5 of 19

2.2. Mechanical Properties of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP)
Carbon Fiber-reinforced Polymer (CFRP) is widely utilized in concrete structure reinforcement
2.2.
owingMechanical Properties ofsuch
to its advantages Fiber Reinforced Polymerhigh
as light weight, (FRP)strength, corrosion resistance, and ease of
construction [57,58]. When applied
Carbon Fiber-reinforced Polymer to(CFRP)
reinforcing compressive
is widely members,
utilized in concreteCFRP is usually
structure wound
reinforcement
aroundto
owing concrete columns laterally,
its advantages and the
such as light bearing
weight, highcapacity of concrete
strength, columns
corrosion increase
resistance, andbyease
lateral
of
restraint of CFRP. Table 2 provides the mechanical characteristics of the FAW200-type
construction [57,58]. When applied to reinforcing compressive members, CFRP is usually wound CFRP used in
this test concrete
around [59]. columns laterally, and the bearing capacity of concrete columns increase by lateral
restraint of CFRP. Table 2 provides the mechanical characteristics of the FAW200-type CFRP used in
this test [59]. Table 2. Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) cloth material mechanical properties.

Nominal Thickness Young’s Modulus

Table 2. Fiber-reinforced Tensile
polymer (FRP) cloth Strength
material Poisson’s Ratio
mechanical properties.

(mm) (mm)
Nominal Thickness (GPa)
Young’s Modulus (GPa) (MPa)
Tensile Strength (MPa) Poisson’s Ratio
0.11
0.11 290 290 3200 3200 0.1062
0.1062

2.3. Mechanical Properties of Concrete

Concrete
Concrete material
materialwith a strength
with grade
a strength of C30
grade of(the
C30Chinese Code forCode
(the Chinese Design
forofDesign
Concrete ofStructures
Concrete
(GB 50010-2010) [60]) was used in this study. A set of three 150 × 150 × 150 mm cubes was
Structures (GB 50010-2010) [60]) was used in this study. A set of three 150 × 150 × 150 mm cubes was produced
for strengthfor
produced testing. After
strength 28 days’
testing. cure
After 28under
days’ the
curesame standard
under curing
the same conditions
standard curingasconditions
the columns,
as the
average
columns,cubic compressive
the average cubicstrength was 36.8
compressive MPa, measured
strength by themeasured
was 36.8 MPa, universalby
material testing machine.
the universal material
testing machine.
3. Experiments Test Setup and Procedure
3. Experiments TestaSetup
Figure 3 shows SMA and Procedure
reinforced concrete column specimen. The column specimens are 150 mm
in diameter and 500 mm in height. The
Figure 3 shows a SMA reinforced concrete specimen
columnwasspecimen.
winded with prestressed
The column Superelastic
specimens are 150NiTi
mm
SMA wires with
in diameter and a500
diameter
mm inof 1.2 mm.
height. TheInspecimen
the test, awas
tensioning
windedand
withanchoring device
prestressed was proposed
Superelastic NiTi
to
SMAapply constraints
wires on the concrete
with a diameter column.
of 1.2 mm. In theThis
test,device comprises
a tensioning and two steel cylindrical
anchoring device wasanchorages,
proposed
high-strength bolts, and two fixed SMA wire grips. The SMA wire was closely wound
to apply constraints on the concrete column. This device comprises two steel cylindrical anchorages, around
the cylinders and
high-strength fixed
bolts, andtotwo
thefixed
jig and a torque
SMA wrench
wire grips. Thewas used
SMA to was
wire tighten the high-strength
closely wound around bolts
the
synchronously and ensure that the SMA wire prestrain was applied uniformly. The
cylinders and fixed to the jig and a torque wrench was used to tighten the high-strength bolts prestrain was
controlled by the
synchronously amount
and ensureofthat
indentation
the SMAbetween the prestressed
wire prestrain anchors,
was applied which was
uniformly. Themeasured
prestrain by
wasa
Vernier caliper.
controlled by the amount of indentation between the prestressed anchors, which was measured by a
Vernier caliper.

Figure 3. A SMA reinforced concrete cylinder with a wire tensioning and anchoring device.

To
To examine
examine the
the effect
effect of
of SMA
SMA amount,
amount, SMASMA pre-strain
pre-strain levels,
levels, and
and reinforcement
reinforcement modes
modes onon the
the
axial
axial mechanical
mechanical properties
properties ofof the
the specimens,
specimens, the
the failure
failure characteristics
characteristics andand performance
performance ofof concrete
concrete
columns
columns under
under axial
axial compression
compression in in the
the limit
limit state
state were
were observed
observed and and the
the impact
impact on
on the
the ultimate
ultimate
bearing
bearing capacity and the vertical/lateral deformation were identified. Three different SMA
capacity and the vertical/lateral deformation were identified. Three different SMA wires
wires
reinforcement
reinforcementspacings
spacingswere
were applied to the
applied cylindrical
to the cylinders
cylindrical (8.0, 4.0,
cylinders and
(8.0, 2.5and
4.0, mm)2.5
and fourand
mm) different
four
Materials 2020, 13, 1227 6 of 19

prestrain levels of SMA wires (0%, 1%, 2%, and 4%) were adopted. Specimens with superelastic SMA
wires and FRP composite cloth were examined as the two reinforcement modes. Another specimen
was designed to determine the ultimate load of an unreinforced cylinder. The test specimens are
summarized in Table 3.

Table 3. Test piece design.

Reinforcement Spacing Configuring Feature Prestrain Level

Specimen
s (mm) Values λ α
C-C - - -
C-SS8-P2 8.0 0.090 2%
C-SS4-P0 0%
C-SS4-P1 1%
4.0 0.180
C-SS4-P2 2%
C-SS4-P4 4%
C-SS2.5-P2 2.5 0.288 2%
C-SMA/FRP-P2 [email protected]+3FRP@125 0.288 2%
1λ: Characteristic value of the reinforcement configuration, λ = ρ·fySMA /fc ; ρ: Volumetric ratio of SMA wire, ρ =
4ASMA /(Ds); ASMA : Cross-sectional area of SMA wire; D: Diameter of concrete column section; s: Reinforcement
spacing (mm); fySMA : Tensile yield strength of SMA wire; fc : Concrete strength; α: Prestain level, α = ∆/L; ∆:
Pre-tension deformation of SMA wire; L: Initial length of SMA wire.

The cylinders were tested on 5000 kN axial compression testing machine (manufactured by
Changchun Material Testing Machine Factory, Changchun, Jilin, China), as shown in Figure 4.
The experiments were carried out in the force control mode. Failure criterion for the concrete cylinder
specimens occur due to the crush of concrete cylinder or a sudden decline of carrying capacity caused
Materials
by 2020, 13,of
the fracture x FOR PEER REVIEW
superelastic SMA wires. 8 of 21

Figure 4. Axial compression test device and structure diagram.

Figure 4. Axial compression test device and structure diagram.
According to the relevant provisions of the Standards for Testing Methods of Concrete Structures
(GB 50152-2012) [61], the load control method was used to grade the loading. Under these standards,
when the test load is less than 60% of the estimated ultimate load of the concrete cylinder specimen,
the graded load is taken as 10% of the estimated ultimate load; when the specimen load is greater
than 60% of the estimated ultimate load of the concrete cylinder, the graded load is taken as 5% of
the estimated ultimate load until the specimen reaches the ultimate load. To fully deform the test
piece, it should be loaded with a voltage for not less than 10 min after each stage of loading has been
completed. After the bearing capacity begins to decrease, the inlet and the squeegee of the test machine
Materials 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 8 of 21

Materials 2020, 13, 1227 7 of 19

and the synchronous jack should be controlled so that the strain of the test piece changes slowly and
steadily until it is destroyed.
The failure criterion of concrete cylinder specimens is that the bearing capacity of the specimen
suddenly drops due to the cylinder concrete being crushed or the superelastic SMA wires used as
reinforcement break [61].
Throughout the test process, the bearing capacity of the concrete cylinder was mainly determined
by force sensors (Shanghai Zhaohui Pressure Instrument Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China). The dial gauge
measured the overall and partial vertical deformation, as well as the lateral deformation of the concrete
cylinder. Since the strain gauge cannot be attached to the reinforced cylinder, two vertical dial
indicators with appurtenances are configured in the middle of the concrete cylinder to measure the
local deformation in the middle of the cylinder within 150 mm and then strain can be calculated,
as shown in Figure 5. In addition, the range and repeatability of dial indicators is 50 mm and 0.001
mm, respectively. Figure 4. Axial compression test device and structure diagram.

Figure 5. Dial indicator arrangement and test schematic.

Figure 5. Dial indicator arrangement and test schematic.
4. Experimental Phenomena and Test Results Analysis
4. Experimental Phenomena and Test Results Analysis
4.1. Experimental Phenomena
The typicalPhenomena
4.1. Experimental failure modes of concrete cylinders under compression were illustrated in Figure 6.
The plain concrete cylinder experienced rapidly failure after reaching its ultimate bearing capacity.
The typical failure modes of concrete cylinders under compression were illustrated in Figure 6.
The main crack expanded and extended most significantly, reaching both ends of the specimen
The plain concrete cylinder experienced rapidly failure after reaching its ultimate bearing capacity.
and intersecting with the transverse cracks. The superelastic SMA RC cylinders showed significant
The main crack expanded and extended most significantly, reaching both ends of the specimen and
inelasticity after the first cracks appeared, and the carrying capacity continued to increase. After reaching
intersecting with the transverse cracks. The superelastic SMA RC cylinders showed significant
the ultimate carrying capacity, some crack development occurred in the specimens, and deformed
inelasticity after the first cracks appeared, and the carrying capacity continued to increase. After
growth and central bulging was observed, albeit with steady loading. The SMA confined specimen
reaching the ultimate carrying capacity, some crack development occurred in the specimens, and
failure was due to concrete crushing, with the SMA wires rupturing at the bulging points with a
deformed growth and central bulging was observed, albeit with steady loading. The SMA confined
popping sound and the carrying capacity decreasing rapidly. Ultimately, inclined main cracks ran
specimen failure was due to concrete crushing, with the SMA wires rupturing at the bulging
through the middle of the cylinder, and the deformation was concentrated here. The ultimate carrying
points with a popping sound and the carrying capacity decreasing rapidly. Ultimately, inclined
capacity of the SMA-FRP RC cylinder was reached before the FRP fractured, and then the bearing
main cracks
capacity ran plateaued.
briefly through the middle
Vertical of the
cracks cylinder,
were andthroughout
observed the deformation was
the entire concentrated
cylinder here.
in the middle
The ultimate
of the specimen, carrying capacity
and obvious of the
bulging was SMA-FRP RC cylinder
apparent where was fractured,
the SMA wire reached before the
resulting in aFRP
loss
fractured, and then the bearing
of carrying capacity of the specimen. capacity briefly plateaued. Vertical cracks were observed
Materials 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 9 of 21

throughout
Materials the
2020, 13, entire cylinder in the middle of the specimen, and obvious bulging was apparent
1227 8 of 19
where the SMA wire fractured, resulting in a loss of carrying capacity of the specimen.

Figure 6. Superelastic SMA reinforced concrete cylinders failure patterns.

Figure 6. Superelastic SMA reinforced concrete cylinders failure patterns.
4.2. Test Results Analysis
4.2. Test Results Analysis
Figure 7 shows the axial load-displacement curves of concrete columns. Figure 7a prefers to the
Figure 7 shows thecurve
axial load-displacement axial load-displacement
of concrete cylinders curves
under ofdifferent
concreteamount
columns. ofFigure 7a prefers
SMA wires. Figureto the
7b
axial load-displacement curve of concrete cylinders under different amount of
indicates the axial load-displacement curve of concrete cylinders with different prestrain level of SMA SMA wires. Figure 7b
indicates
wires. the be
As can axial
seenload-displacement
in Figure 7, the SMA curve of concrete
reinforced cylinders
cylinders with different
experienced prestrain
five stages: (1) thelevel
elasticof
SMA wires. As can be seen in Figure 7, the SMA reinforced cylinders experienced
stage, (2) the ultimate bearing stage, (3) the rapid descent phase, (4) the stability and strengthening five stages: (1) the
elastic stage,
growth stage,and(2) (5)
thetheultimate bearing stage,
reverse strengthening (3) stage.
effect the rapid
Among descent phase,5 is(4)
them, stage thethe
most stability and
prominent.
strengthening growth stage, and (5) the reverse strengthening effect stage.
The SMA+FRP reinforced cylinders underwent the elastic stage, ultimate bearing stage, rapid decline Among them, stage 5 is
the most prominent. The
phase, and stabilization phase. SMA+FRP reinforced cylinders underwent the elastic stage, ultimate
bearing
Basedstage, rapid
on the testdecline phase,
data, the and stabilization
carrying capacity and phase.strain values of superelastic SMA RC cylinders
Based on the test data, the carrying
are presented in Table 4. Data analysis indicates capacity and
that, withstrain
the values of superelastic
same prestrain level α SMA
= 2%,RC the cylinders
ultimate
are presented in Table 4. Data analysis indicates that, with the same
bearing capacity of C-SS8P2, C-CS4P2, and C-SS2.5P2 compared with the plain concrete cylinder prestrain level α = 2%, the
ultimate
C-C bearing capacity
was increased by up toofabout
C-SS8P2,
80%,C-CS4P2,
105%, andand C-SS2.5P2
135%, compared
respectively. with thecapacity
The bearing plain concrete
of the
cylinder C-C was increased by up to about 80%, 105%, and 135%, respectively.
concrete cylinders exhibited approximately linear growth with respect to the reinforcement amount The bearing capacity
of superelastic
of the concreteSMA.cylinders
Withexhibited
λ = 0.180,approximately
the ultimate bearinglinear growth
capacity with respect toC-SS4P1,
of C-SS4P0, the reinforcement
C-SS4P2,
amount of superelastic SMA. With λ = 0.180, the ultimate bearing
and C-SS4P4 were increased by about 60%, 90%, 105%, and 120%, respectively, compared capacity of C-SS4P0, C-SS4P1,withC-
SS4P2, and C-SS4P4 were increased by about 60%, 90%, 105%, and 120%, respectively,
the C-C concrete cylinder. This indicates that the reinforcing effect of the prestrained superelastic compared with
the C-C
SMA concrete
wires enhancescylinder. This indicates
the ultimate bearingthat the reinforcing
capacity of concrete effect of the to
cylinders prestrained
a remarkable superelastic
degree.
SMA wires enhances the ultimate bearing capacity
However, the enhancement weakened as the prestrain level increased. of concrete cylinders to a remarkable degree.
However, the enhancement weakened as the prestrain level increased.
 For the same reinforcement configuration and prestrain, C-SS2.5P2 and C-SMA/FRP-P2 were
reinforced with superelastic SMA and superelastic SMA+FRP, respectively. The ultimate bearing
capacity, compared with C-C, increased by 139.8% (SMA-S2.5P2) and 149.4% (C-SMA/FRPP2). Both
forms of reinforcement significantly improve the ultimate bearing capacity of concrete cylinders and
compared with
Materials 2020, superelastic SMA wire, the reinforcement effect of superelastic SMA+FRP composite
13, 1227 9 of 19
is slightly better.

1200 1000
C-C C-C
C-SS8-P2 C-SS4-P0
1000 C-SS4-P2 800 C-SS4-P1
C-SS2.5-P2 C-SS4-P2
C-SMA/FRP-P2 C-SS4-P4
800
Load/kN

Load/kN
600
600
400
400

200
200

0 0
0 10 20 30 40 0 10 20 30 40
Displacement/mm Displacement/mm

(a) (b)
Figure
Figure7.7.Axial
Axialload-displacement
load-displacementcurves
curvesofofconcrete
concretecolumns:
columns:(a)
(a)Axial
Axialload-displacement
load-displacementcurve
curveofof
concrete
concretecylinders
cylinderswith
withdifferent
differentSMA
SMAwires
wiresreinforcement
reinforcementamount
amountand
and(b)
(b)Axial
Axialload-displacement
load-displacement
curve
curveofofconcrete
concretecylinders
cylinderswith
withdifferent
differentprestrain
prestrainlevel
levelof
ofSMA
SMAwires.
wires.

Table 4. Axial compressive bearing capacity and deformation of concrete cylinders.

Table 4. Axial compressive bearing capacity and deformation of concrete cylinders.
Axial
Axial
Lateral
Lateral
Lateral
Lateral
Specimen
Specimen NN
cu/kN
cu /kN γγcucu NN
f/kN
f /kN
γγff AxialEℰ
Axial f
f
ℰEcucu ℰE
cucu Efℰf
C-C 425 1.000 0.0014 0.0028 200 1.000 0.0036 0.0257
C-C 425 1.000 0.0014 0.0028 200 1.000 0.0036 0.0257
C-SS48P2 770 1.812 0.0031 0.0117 360 1.800 0.0881 0.2114
C-SS4-P0
C-SS48P2 674
770 1.586
1.812 0.0033
0.0031 0.0115
0.0117 318
360 1.590
1.800 0.0821
0.0881 0.3669
0.2114
C-SS4-P1 800 1.882 0.0039 0.0274 432 2.160 0.0886 0.2563
C-SS4-P2
C-SS4-P0 880
674 2.071
1.586 0.0035
0.0033 0.0109
0.0115 373
318 1.865
1.590 0.0847
0.0821 0.2549
0.3669
C-SS4-P4 940 2.212 0.0034 0.0076 459 2.295 0.1328 0.2138
C-SS2.5-P2
C-SS4-P1 1002
800 2.358
1.882 0.0051
0.0039 0.0165
0.0274 648
432 3.240
2.160 0.1240
0.0886 0.2045
0.2563
C-SMA/FRP-P2 1060 2.494 0.0030 0.0081 338 1.690 0.0586 0.2087
C-SS4-P2 880compressive
1 N : Ultimate axial
cu
2.071bearing
0.0035
capacity of 0.0109
the column (i.e.,373 1.865in the Load–Displacement
maximum load 0.0847 0.2549
curves); Nf : Failing axial compressive bearing capacity (i.e., the load when column fails which is determined by
C-SS4-P4 940
the failure criterion 2.212γcu : Increasing
in the paper); 0.0034 ratio0.0076
of the ultimate 459 2.295γf : Increasing
bearing capacity; 0.1328ratio of0.2138
the
corresponding failure load; Axial Ecu : Axial strain corresponding to the ultimate bearing capacity; Lateral Ecu :
C-SS2.5-P2 1002
Lateral strain corresponding 2.358
to 0.0051
the ultimate 0.0165Axial Eaf648
bearing capacity; 3.240
: Axial strain 0.1240
corresponding 0.2045
to destruction
load; Lateral Ef : Lateral strain corresponding to destruction load.
C-SMA/FRP-P2 1060 2.494 0.0030 0.0081 338 1.690 0.0586 0.2087
1 For the axial
Ncu: Ultimate samecompressive
reinforcement
bearingconfiguration and
capacity of the prestrain,
column C-SS2.5P2
(i.e., maximum loadand C-SMA/FRP-P2
in the were
Load–Displacement
reinforced with superelastic SMA and superelastic SMA+FRP, respectively. The ultimate bearing
curves); Nf: Failing axial compressive bearing capacity (i.e., the load when column fails which is determined by
capacity, compared with C-C, increased by 139.8% (SMA-S2.5P2) and 149.4% (C-SMA/FRPP2).
the failure criterion in the paper); γcu: Increasing ratio of the ultimate bearing capacity; γf: Increasing ratio of the
Both forms of reinforcement significantly improve the ultimate bearing capacity of concrete cylinders
corresponding
and comparedfailure load; Axial ℰSMA
with superelastic cu: Axial strain corresponding to the ultimate bearing capacity; Lateral ℰcu:
wire, the reinforcement effect of superelastic SMA+FRP composite
is slightly
Lateral corresponding to the ultimate bearing capacity; Axial ℰaf: Axial strain corresponding to destruction
strainbetter.
load; Lateral ℰf: Lateral strain corresponding to destruction load.
4.3. Axial and Lateral Strain Relationship of Concrete Column
Based on the phenomenon observation of loading process and the analysis of the specimens failure
mode, it is found that deformation and cracking occurred mainly in the middle of the specimens. In
this section, the relationship and comparison among axial deformation in the middle of the specimens
(measured by two vertical dial indicators on both sides and average value is adopted), radial deformation
(measured by the radial dial indicators at 0.5 h), and the bearing capacity were analyzed.
 Based on the phenomenon observation of loading process and the analysis of the specimens
failure mode, it is found that deformation and cracking occurred mainly in the middle of the
specimens. In this section, the relationship and comparison among axial deformation in the middle
of the specimens
Materials 2020, 13, 1227 (measured by two vertical dial indicators on both sides and average value is
10 of 19
adopted), radial deformation (measured by the radial dial indicators at 0.5 h), and the bearing
capacity were analyzed.
Figure
Figure 88 shows
shows the
the relationship
relationship curves between the
curves between axial stress
the axial stress and
and axial/radial
axial/radial strain
strain of
of concrete
concrete
cylinders reinforced with 2% prestressed SMA wires. From the Figure 8a,
cylinders reinforced with 2% prestressed SMA wires. From the Figure 8a, we can see that compared we can see that compared to
common
to common column
column(C-C), the bearing
(C-C), capacities
the bearing of the SMA
capacities of the confined columns were
SMA confined greatly
columns were enhanced.
greatly
Not only did the ultimate stress increase with the amount of SMA wire, but
enhanced. Not only did the ultimate stress increase with the amount of SMA wire, but also the axial also the axial strain and
lateral strain also showed increasing trends with the increasing amount of
strain and lateral strain also showed increasing trends with the increasing amount of SMA wires. As SMA wires. As the most
reinforced
the most reinforced the axial Ethe
specimen,specimen, Ef , and
cu , axial ℰculateral Eculateral
, ℰf, and , Ef , ofℰSMA-S2.5P2 increasedincreased
cu, ℰf, of SMA-S2.5P2 by factorsby3.6, 34.4,
factors
5.9, and 7.9 compared with specimen C-C.
3.6, 34.4, 5.9, and 7.9 compared with specimen C-C.

60
Stress/MPa

C-C 0.30
C-SS8-P2 Axial ecu
50 C-SS4-P2 Axial ef
C-SS2.5-P2 0.25
Radial ecu
Radial ef
40 0.20

Strain
30 0.15

0.10
20
0.05
10
0.00
0 0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30
-0.15 -0.10 -0.05 0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25
l
Axial Strain Radial Strain
(a) (b)

Figure 8. Axial stress–strain relation comparison of concrete cylinders with different reinforcement
amount of SMA wires: (a)(a) Axial
Axial stress–strain
stress–strain curves
curves of
of concrete
concrete cylinders
cylinders with
with different
different reinforcement
reinforcement
amount of SMA wires; (b) Comparison of axial and lateral peak strain and failure strain of concrete
different reinforcement
cylinders with different reinforcement amount
amount of
of SMA
SMAwires.
wires.

Figure
Figure99showsshowsthe therelationship
relationship curves between
curves the axial
between the stress and axial/radial
axial stress strain ofstrain
and axial/radial concrete
of
cylinders reinforced SMA wires with different prestrain levels. From the figures,
concrete cylinders reinforced SMA wires with different prestrain levels. From the figures, we we can see that, for
the
can same amount
see that, for theof same
reinforcement,
amount ofanreinforcement,
increase in thean prestrain
increaselevel of prestrain
in the the SMA wires
level of produces
the SMA a
corresponding increase in the ultimate axial stress of the concrete cylinder.
wires produces a corresponding increase in the ultimate axial stress of the concrete cylinder. Additionally, the peak
axial strain andthe
Additionally, failure
peakstrain
axial showed
strain and a significant increasing
failure strain showed trend, while theincreasing
a significant peak lateral strain
trend, and
while
failure strain declined. This was because the increased prestrain enhanced the side constraints of the
the peak lateral strain and failure strain declined. This was because the increased prestrain
concrete cylinders, which widened the deformation area and made the distribution more uniform.
enhanced the side constraints of the concrete cylinders, which widened the deformation area
In contrast, an increase in the amount of prestrained superelastic SMA wire led to the strengthening
and made the distribution more uniform. In contrast, an increase in the amount of prestrained
phase occurring earlier and the subsequent deformation capacity decreasing slightly.
superelastic SMA wire led to the strengthening phase occurring earlier and the subsequent
Figure 10 shows that the two different reinforcement forms of SMA and SMA/FRP increase the axial
deformation capacity decreasing slightly.
stress, axial strain, and lateral strain, and improve the axial bearing of the concrete cylinders. Contrasting
Figureand
C-SS2.5-P2 10 shows that the two
C-SMA/FRP-P2, it isdifferent reinforcement
found that although the forms of SMA
ultimate stressand SMA/FRP
of the increase
SMA-enhanced
the axial stress, axial strain, and lateral strain, and improve the axial bearing
cylinder is slightly smaller than that of the SMA/FRP reinforced cylinder, its follow-up stress and of the concrete
cylinders. Contrasting
axial/lateral C-SS2.5-P2
strain development and In
are better. C-SMA/FRP-P2, it is foundofthat
addition, the deformation although the ultimate
the SMA-reinforced cylinder
stress of the SMA-enhanced cylinder is slightly smaller than
exhibits a more uniform distribution than the SMA/FRP reinforced cylinder. Thus, that of the SMA/FRP reinforced
the deformation
cylinder,and
capacity its ductility
follow-up stress
of the SMA andRCaxial/lateral
cylinder are strain development
much better than in theareSMA/FRP
better. Inspecimen.
addition, the
deformation of the SMA-reinforced cylinder exhibits a more uniform distribution than the
 Materials 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 12 of 21
Materials 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 12 of 21
SMA/FRP
Materials reinforced
2020, 13, 1227 cylinder. Thus, the deformation capacity and ductility of the SMA
11 of RC
19
SMA/FRP reinforced cylinder. Thus, the deformation
cylinder are much better than in the SMA/FRP specimen. capacity and ductility of the SMA RC
cylinder are much better than in the SMA/FRP specimen.
60

Stress/MPa
60 C-C
C-SS4-P0
0.40 Axial ecu

Stress/MPa
50
C-C
C-SS4-P1
C-SS4-P0
0.40
0.35 Axialecuef
Axial
50 C-SS4-P2
C-SS4-P1
C-SS4-P4
0.35
0.30 Radial
Axial ef ecu
C-SS4-P2 Radialecuef
Radial
40 C-SS4-P4 0.30
0.25 Radial ef
40

Strain
0.25
0.20

Strain
30
30 0.20
0.15
20 0.15
0.10
20 0.10
0.05
10 0.05
0.00
10
0.00 0 1 2 3 4
0
-0.15 -0.10 -0.050 0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0 3
2 Level /%
1 Prestrain 4
-0.15Axial
-0.10 -0.05
Strain0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20
Lateral 0.25 0.30
Strain Prestrain Level /%
Axial Strain Lateral Strain
(a) (b)
(a) (b)
Figure9. 9.
Figure Axial
Axial andand lateral
lateral stress–strain
stress–strain relation
relation comparison
comparison of SMA of SMA
wire wire reinforced
reinforced concrete
concrete cylinders
Figure
with 9. Axial
cylinders with
different and lateral
different
prestrain stress–strain
prestrain
levels: (a) Axial relation
levels:and
(a) comparison
Axial and
radial of SMA of wire
radial stress-strain
stress-strain curves reinforced
curves
SMA concrete
of SMA reinforced
reinforced concrete
cylinders
concretewith
cylinders with different
cylinders
different prestrain
different levels:
withprestrain levels; (a)
prestrain Axial
(b)levels; and radial stress-strain
(b) Comparison
Comparison of axial of axial
and lateralcurves
and ofstrain
lateral
peak SMA
peakreinforced
andstrain and
failure
concrete
failure cylinders
strain of with
concretedifferent prestrain
cylinders with levels;
different (b) Comparison
prestrain
strain of concrete cylinders with different prestrain levels. levels.of axial and lateral peak strain and
failure strain of concrete cylinders with different prestrain levels.
0.25
Stress/MPa

60
C-C 0.25 Axial ecu
C-SS2.5-P2
Stress/MPa

60
C-C
C-SMA/FRP-P2
Axial ecu e
Lateral
C-SS2.5-P2 0.20 cu
50 C-SMA/FRP-P2 0.20 Lateral
Axial eecu
50 f
40 Axial ef e
Lateral
0.15 f
Strain

40 0.15 Lateral ef
Strain

30
30 0.10
20 0.10
20
10 0.05
10 0.05
0 0.00
-0.15 -0.10 -0.050 0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 C-C C-SS2.5-P2 C-SMA/FRP-P2
-0.15 Axial
-0.10 -0.05 0.00 0.05 Radial
0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25
0.00
Strain Strain C-C C-SS2.5-P2 C-SMA/FRP-P2
Axial Strain Radial Strain Specimen
(a) Specimen
(b)
(a) (b)
Figure 10. Axial and lateral stress–strain relation comparison of concrete cylinders with different
Figure 10. Axial
reinforcement and
and lateral
Axialmode, which stress–strain
lateral stress–strain
involves SMA relation
relation comparison
comparison
and SMA/FRP: of
of concrete
(a) Axialconcrete cylinders
cylinders
and radial with different
stress-strain curves of
reinforcement mode,
mode, which
which involves
involves SMA
SMA and
andSMA/FRP:
SMA/FRP: (a) Axial
(a) Axial and radial
and
concrete cylinders with different reinforcement mode, which involves SMA and SMA/FRP stress-strain
radial curves
stress-strain and of
curves (b)
ofComparison
concrete
concrete cylinders
cylinders
of axialwith
with and different
different reinforcement
lateralreinforcement
peak strain and mode,
mode,
failure which
whichstrain involves
involves
of SMA SMA
concrete and and
cylindersSMA/FRP
SMA/FRP
with and and
(b)
different
(b) Comparison
Comparison of axial
of axial
reinforcement mode, and and lateral
lateral
which peak
peak
involves strain
strain
SMA and
and
and failurestrain
failure
SMA/FRP. strainofofconcrete
concretecylinders
cylinders with
with different
reinforcement mode, which involves SMA and SMA/FRP. SMA/FRP.
Figures 8a, 9a, and 10a show that, in the same test specimen, SMA wires increases the lateral
Figure 8a,
Figures Figure 9a,10a
andshowFigure 10ainshow that, in thespecimen,
same testSMAspecimen, SMA wirestheincreases
strain of the8a, 9a, and
concrete cylinder that,
more than the
the same test
axial strain. This is especially wires increases
true in the elastic lateral
stage,
the
strainlateral
of thestrain
concrete of the concrete
cylinder cylinder
more than more
the than
axial the
strain. axial
This strain.
is This
especially is especially
true in the true
elastic in the
stage,
ultimate bearing stage, and rapid descent phase, consistent with the test results obtained by Chen et
elastic stage,
ultimate ultimate bearing stage, and rapid descent phase,with
consistent with theobtained
test results obtained
al. [25]. bearing
Combined stage,
withandtherapid descent
analysis phase,
of the consistent
experimental the testapplying
phenomena, results of SMA by Chen et
prestressing
by Chen
al.is[25]. et al. [25]. Combined with the analysis of the experimental phenomena, applying of SMA
veryCombined
helpful forwith the analysis
the full developmentof theofexperimental
fine oblique phenomena, applying
cracks in concrete of SMA
cylinders prestressing
after exceeding
prestressing
isthe
very helpfulis very helpful
forlimit.
the full for the
developmentfull development
of fineSMA of
oblique fine oblique
cracks cracks
in concrete in concrete
cylinders cylinders after
afterdeformation
exceeding
elastic strain Therefore, prestressed wires can greatly improve the lateral
exceeding
the the elastic
elastic of
strain limit.strain limit.prestressed
Therefore, Therefore, prestressed
SMA wires can SMA wiresimprove
greatly can greatlythe improve the lateral
lateral deformation
capacity concrete cylinder.
deformation
capacity capacity
of concrete of concrete cylinder.
Because of thecylinder.
excellent constraining ability and superelastic deformation ability of SMA wires,
Because of of the
the excellent constraining
constraining ability
ability and
and superelastic
superelastic deformation
deformation ability
ability of SMA
SMA wires,
wires,
the axial ℰcu of all excellent
Because SMA-confined test specimen (C-SS8-P2, C-SS2.5-P2) is more than of twice that of C-
the axial
the Eℰcu of all
all SMA-confined
SMA-confined test test specimen (C-SS8-P2, C-SS2.5-P2) isismoremorethan
thantwice
twicethat
thatofofC-C,
C, axial
and the cu of
axial ℰf, is 22.8–36.9 times specimen
as high. The(C-SS8-P2,
lateral ℰC-SS2.5-P2)
cu is almost 4 times that of C-C, except for
C-
and the axial E is 22.8–36.9 times as high. The lateral E is almost 4 times that
C, and the axialf,ℰf, is 22.8–36.9 times as high. The lateral ℰcucu is almost 4 times that of C-C, except for of C-C, except for
sample C-SS4-P4, which is only 2.7 higher than the unreinforced specimen because of the high prestrain.
Materials 2020, 13, 1227 12 of 19

The lateral Ef is almost eight times higher than that of C-C. Prestressed SMA wires considerably
enhance the axial and lateral deformation capacity of concrete cylinders, significantly improving their
survivability under the action of disasters.

5. Design and Calculation of Ultimate Axial Bearing Capacity of Superelastic SMA RC Columns
To facilitate the calculation of the axial compressive bearing capacity of concrete cylinders confined
by prestrained superelastic SMA wires, the following simplified assumptions are proposed on the
premise of ensuring the calculation accuracy:
(1) During the prestraining process, the superelastic SMA wire changes uniformly under tension,
and the constraint effect on the cylinder surface is also uniform. The differences in the prestrain
level on the cylinder surface due to the friction between the concrete and the SMA wires can
be neglected;
(2) The axial compressive strength of concrete cylinders constrained by prestrained superelastic
SMA wires is composed of the axial compressive strength of the unconstrained concrete cylinders
and the increased axial compressive strength of the concrete cylinders enhanced by the lateral
restraint effect of the superelastic SMA wires. The axial compressive strength of SMA constrained
concrete cylinders can be obtained by linearly superposing the axial compressive strength of
unconstrained concrete cylinder and the increased axial compressive strength of the concrete
cylinders enhanced by the lateral restraint effect of the superelastic SMA wires;
(3) The axial load on the cylinder is fully borne by the concrete, and the superelastic SMA wire does
not bear the axial load;
(4) The SMA wires are always in a tensioned state, and in reliable contact with the concrete columns.
The two items work together and deform together, which is also proved by experimental
phenomena. Hence there is no relative slippage during the loading process.

5.1. Calculation of Compressive Strength of Concrete Columns Confieded by Prestressed Superelastic SMA Wires
The compressive strength of concrete columns increases because of the strong active confinement
restraining force generated by prestressed superelastic SMA wires. The lateral expansion and
crack development are suppressed, and the core concrete is in a three-way compression state.
Therefore, the constraining force of the SMA wires is an important factor. The compressive strength of
the confined concrete is mainly composed of the unconstrained concrete strength and the improved
constrained action strength. Referring to Mander Constrained Concrete Constitutive Model [62,63],
the axial compressive strength of concrete columns constrained by prestrained superelastic SMA wires
can be written as:
fcc = fc + kl fl (1)

where, fcc : Axial compressive strength (MPa) of concrete cylinder confined by superelastic SMA wire;
fc : Axial compressive strength (MPa) of the unconstrained concrete cylinder; kl : Lateral constraint
stress effect coefficient; fl : Average lateral compressive stress of SMA wire (MPa).
Figure 11 shows the confining effect of the superelastic SMA wires on the concrete column.
Assuming that the SMA wires are uniformly distributed in the reinforced range of the concrete column,
the distribution of the lateral restraint force fl is also uniform on the column surface. The deviation is
corrected by the lateral stress coefficient kl . Thus, from the equilibrium condition of the limit stress
state of the section, we obtain:
Z π
D
fl s dθ·sinθ = 2 f ySMA ASMA (2)
0 2

where, fSMA : Phase transition stress (MPa) of the superelastic SMA wire (equivalent to the yield stress
of the steel); ASMA : Cross-sectional area of the superelastic SMA wire (mm2 ), ASMA = πd2SMA /4; s:
Reinforcement spacing (mm); θ: Angle; D: Diameter of the concrete cylinder (mm).
 Materials
Materials 13, x 13,
2020, 2020, FOR 1227
PEER REVIEW 13 of 14
19 of 21

Figure 11. Superelastic SMA wire reinforced concrete cylinder.

Figure 11. Superelastic SMA wire reinforced concrete cylinder.
Integrating Equation (2) gives:
Integrating Equation (2) gives: 2 f ySMA ASMA
fl = (3)
Ds
𝟐𝒇𝒚𝑺𝑴𝑨 𝑨𝑺𝑴𝑨
𝒇 =
The axial compressive strength of concrete
𝒍 columns constrained by prestrained superelastic SMA (3)
𝑫𝒔
wires can be expressed as:
The axial compressive strength of concrete 2columns constrained by prestrained superelastic
f ySMA ASMA
fcc = fc + kl (4)
SMA wires can be expressed as: Ds
The contribution of the lateral restraint stress of2𝑓
the SMA wires to the compressive strength of the
𝑦𝑆𝑀𝐴 𝐴𝑆𝑀𝐴
𝑓
concrete cylindrical axis can be expressed = 𝑓
𝑐𝑐 as:𝑐 + 𝑘 𝑙 (4)
𝐷𝑠
The contribution of the lateral restraint kstress
l fl = fof
cc −the
fc SMA wires to the compressive strength
(5) of
the concrete cylindrical axis can be expressed as:
kl 2 fSMA ASMA
fcc − fc = kl fl = · (6)
𝑘𝑙 𝑓𝑙 = 𝑓𝑐𝑐
s −𝑓𝑐 D (5)
2 fSMA ASMA kl
where is a fixed value, and let kl0 = s, the unit is mm−1 .
D 𝑘𝑙 2𝑓𝑆𝑀𝐴 𝐴𝑆𝑀𝐴
𝑓𝑐𝑐 −𝑓𝑐 = 𝑘𝑙 𝑓𝑙 = ∙ (6)
0 2𝑠
fSMA ASMA𝐷
fcc − fc =k· l
(7)
2𝑓𝑆𝑀𝐴 𝐴𝑆𝑀𝐴 𝑘𝑙
D
where is a fixed value, and let 𝑘𝑙′ = , the unit is mm . −1
𝐷
Figure 12 shows the ultimate compressive𝑠 strength of SMA reinforced columns with different
reinforcement amount and different prestressing levels. 2𝑓𝑆𝑀𝐴 𝐴As can be seen in Figure 12, data analysis
𝑆𝑀𝐴
shows that kl0 in the SMA wires increases −𝑓𝑐 = 𝑘𝑙′ ∙
𝑓𝑐𝑐 approximately linearly with the increase of λ; as the prestrain (7)
𝐷
level increases, the growth of kl0 slows down. According to the variation of the contribution of lateral
constrained
Figure 12 stress
showsto the
the axial compressive
ultimate strength of
compressive the concrete
strength columns,
of SMA it is assumed
reinforced that thewith
columns
functional relationship between kl0 , λ, and α is as follows:
different reinforcement amount and different prestressing levels. As can be seen in Figure 12, data
analysis shows that 𝑘𝑙′ in the SMA wires increases  approximately  linearly with the increase of λ; as
kl0 = (a1 λ + a2′) b1 α2 + b2 α + b3 (8)
the prestrain level increases, the growth of 𝑘𝑙 slows down. According to the variation of the
contribution
where a1 ,of
a2lateral
, b1 , b2 , constrained stress to theconstants.
and b3 are undetermined axial compressive strength of the concrete columns, it
is assumed that the
Consider thefunctional
influence of λ and α on kbetween
relationship 0
l
𝑘𝑙′ , λ,
in Equation (6).and α is as follows:
According to the data in Table 5, the five
undetermined constants and kl can be determined using nonlinear regression.
𝑘𝑙′ = (𝑎1 𝜆 +𝑎2 )(𝑏1 𝛼 2 + 𝑏2 𝛼 + 𝑏3 ) (8)
k0 = (1.76λ + 0.36) −21.7α2 + 1.72α + 0.03 × 106 (9)
where 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑏1 , 𝑏2 , and 𝑏3 l are undetermined constants.
Consider
where 0.090the
≤ λinfluence of 0λ≤and
≤ 0.288 and α on 𝑘𝑙′ in Equation (6). According
α ≤ 0.04. to the data in Table 5, the
five undetermined constants and 𝑘𝑙 can be determined using nonlinear regression.

𝑘𝑙′ = (1.76𝜆 + 0.36)(−21.7𝛼 2 + 1.72𝛼 + 0.03) × 106 (9)

where 0.090 ≤ λ ≤ 0.288 and 0 ≤ α ≤ 0.04.

 Materials 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 15 of 21
Materials 2020, 13, 1227 14 of 19

60

Compressive Strength (MPa)

55

50

45

40
0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30
λ

(a)

60

55
Compressive Strength (MPa)

50

45

40

35

30
0 1 2 3 4
Prestrain (%)

(b)

Figure Figure 12. Ultimate

12. Ultimate compressive
compressive strength
strength of of SMAreinforced
SMA reinforced columns
columns with
withdifferent
differentreinforcement
reinforcement
amountamount and different
and different prestraininglevels:
prestraining levels: (a)
(a)Ultimate
Ultimatecompressive strength
compressive of test specimens
strength C-SS8-
of test specimens
P2, C-SS4P-2, and C-SS2.5-P2 with different reinforcement amount; (b) Ultimate compressive
C-SS8-P2, C-SS4P-2, and C-SS2.5-P2 with different reinforcement amount; (b) Ultimate compressive
strengthC-SS4-P0, C-SS4-P1, C-SS4-P2, and C-SS2.5-P4 with different prestraining levels.
strengthC-SS4-P0, C-SS4-P1, C-SS4-P2, and C-SS2.5-P4 with different prestraining levels.
The componentTable (fcc − 5.
fc)1Contribution
can be obtained
of SMAby substituting Equation
wire compressive (9) into Equation (7), that is,
strength.
the contribution of the SMA wire lateral restraint stress to the compressive strength of the concrete
Specimen
column axisNumber λ
𝑘𝑙 𝑓𝑙 . A comparison αwith the
σ cu /MPa fc ) (fcc −infcTable
(fccis− presented
test values )1 (f6,ccand 1 /(fcc
− fc )the − fc )
maximum
difference
C-Cbetween the two- does not
- exceed 3.4%.
24.06 - - -
The axial compressive
C-SS8-P2 0.090strength
2% of the43.59
concrete columns
19.53 restrained
19. 62 by prestressed 1.004 superelastic
SMAC-SS4-P0
wires is: 0.180 0% 38.15 14.09 13.99 0.993
C-SS4-P1 0.180 1% 44.16 20.10 20.78 1.034
C-SS4-P2 𝑓 = 𝑓 0.180 2% 49.82 2 25.76 25.61 6
2𝑓𝑦𝑆𝑀𝐴 𝐴𝑆𝑀𝐴0.994
𝑐𝑐 𝑐 + (1.76𝜆 + 0.36)(−21.7𝛼 + 1.72𝛼 + 0.03) × 10 ∙ (10)
C-SS4-P4 0.180 4% 53.22 29.16 29.40 𝐷 1.008
C-SS2.5-P2 0.288 2% 56.74 32.68 32.80 1.004
where 0.090 ≤ λ ≤ 0.288 and 0 ≤ α ≤ 0.04.
1 λ: characteristic value of the reinforcement configuration, λ = ρ·fySMA /fc ; ρ: Volumetric ratio of SMA wire, ρ
=·(4ASMA )/(Ds); ASMA : Cross-sectional area of SMA wire; D: Diameter of concrete column section; s: Reinforcement
spacing (mm); fySMA : Tensile yield strength of SMA wire; fc : Concrete strength; α: prestrain level, α = ∆/L; σcu :
compressive strength limit value of the concrete column specimen; (fcc − fc ): Test value of the contribution of
SMA wire lateral constraint to the compressive strength of the concrete column; (fcc − fc )1 : calculated value of the
contribution of SMA wire lateral constraint to the compressive strength of the concrete cylindrical axis column.
Materials 2020, 13, 1227 15 of 19

The component (fcc − fc )1 can be obtained by substituting Equation (9) into Equation (7), that is,
the contribution of the SMA wire lateral restraint stress to the compressive strength of the concrete
column axis kl fl . A comparison with the test values is presented in Table 6, and the maximum difference
between the two does not exceed 3.4%.

Table 6. Comparison of calculated and experimental values for concrete cylinder restrained by
SMA wires.

Literature
Specimen Number λ α f cc1 /MPa fcc /MPa f cc1 /fcc
Tests
Ma1 0.097 2.9% 28.06 27.79 1.010
Ma2 0.097 2.9% 28.06 27.41 1.024
Ma3 0.048 2.9% 27.72 26.02 1.065
Literature [21]
Ma4 0.048 2.9% 27.72 27.12 1.022
Au1 0.097 0% 26.66 25.48 1.046
Au2 0.048 0% 26.55 26.51 1.001
Ma2-I 0.097 2.9% 28.06 27.31 1.027
Ma2-II 0.097 2.9% 28.06 27.41 1.024
Ma4-I 0.048 2.9% 27.72 26.61 1.042
Literature [24]
Ma4-II 0.048 2.9% 27.72 26.12 1.061
Au4 0.097 0% 26.66 27.02 0.987
Au2 0.048 0% 26.55 26.19 1.014
NiTiNb-1 0.211 4.2% 45.31 45.38 0.998
NiTiNb-2 0.211 4.2% 45.31 43.97 1.030
Literature [38]
NiTi-1 0.155 6.2% 38.19 38.48 0.992
NiTi-2 0.155 6.2% 38.19 40.63 0.940
NiTiNb-1 0.081 4.8% 43.10 43.50 0.991
Literature [44]
NiTiNb-2 0.040 4.8% 41.43 38.00 1.090
C-SS8-P2 0.090 2.0% 43.54 43.60 0.999
C-SS4-P0 0.180 0.0% 37.94 38.15 0.995
C-SS4-P1 0.180 1.0% 44.71 44.16 1.012
This Paper
C-SS4-P2 0.180 2.0% 49.52 49.82 0.994
C-SS4-P4 0.180 4.0% 53.29 53.22 1.001
C-SS2.5-P2 0.288 2.0% 56.69 56.74 0.999
1f cc1 : Calculated value of the bearing capacity of concrete cylinders restrained by superelastic SMA wire; f cc1 /fcc :
Comparison between the calculated and experimental values.

The axial compressive strength of the concrete columns restrained by prestressed superelastic
SMA wires is:
  2 f ySMA ASMA
fcc = fc + (1.76λ + 0.36) −21.7α2 + 1.72α + 0.03 × 106 · (10)
D
where 0.090 ≤ λ ≤ 0.288 and 0 ≤ α ≤ 0.04.
Based on the calculation model for the compressive strength of concrete columns confined by
prestrained superelastic SMA wires, ultimate axial bearing capacity of concrete cylinders restrained by
prestrained superelastic SMA wires can be:

 2 f ySMA ASMA
!

2
Nu = fcc ·A = fc + (4.0968λ + 0.8321) −931.8192α + 73.9154α + 1.3261 ·A (11)
D·s

where 0.090 ≤ λ ≤ 0.288 and 0 ≤ α ≤ 0.04, the column cross-sectional area is A = πD2 /4.
Materials 2020, 13, 1227 16 of 19

5.2. Comparison of Calculated and Recorded Ultimate Axial Bearing Capacities

To verify the rationality of Equation (10), the axial bearing strength of concrete cylinders confined
by prestrained superelastic SMA wires was calculated using Equation (10). The results are compared
with the experimental values reported in previous research and in this paper in Table 6.
The errors of most test specimens do not exceed 5%, and only four test specimens (Ma3, Ma4-II,
NiTi-2, and NiTiNb-2) have errors of 6–9%. The focus of this article is to make a useful exploration of
the calculation method and recommended formula for the axial bearing capacity of SMA-constrained
concrete columns, which is expected to lay the foundation for further research in the future. Therefore,
although the error is large, the comparison of calculated and experimental values is still stated here as
part of the research work. These results indicate that the calculated values of the specimens are in
good agreement with the experimental values, and the deviation is limited. Therefore, the simplified
formula in Equations (10) and (11) offers good reliability and practicality for calculating the ultimate
bearing capacity of concrete columns restrained by superelastic SMA wires.

6. Conclusions
Research in this paper has shown that the superelastic SMA has a good reinforcing effect on the
concrete columns under axial compression. It has a substantial increase in ultimate bearing capacity,
while enhanc the performance of axial and radial deformation and ductility. This research provid a
significant reference to improve the ability of the concrete columns to survive in the disaster. On the
basis of the experimental results and discussions the following conclusions can be drawn:

(1) This paper proposes an effective method of using superelastic SMA wires to achieve active
restraint and strengthen the bearing capacity of concrete columns.
(2) With the same prestrain level (α = 2%), an increase in reinforced amounts (λ) of superelastic SMA
from 0.09 to 0.288 leads to an approximately linear increase of ultimate bearing capacity of SMA
RC columns from 80% to 135%, compared with the plain concrete column.
(3) With the same reinforced amounts (λ = 0.180), an increase in prestrain level from 0% to 4% results
in an remarkable increase of ultimate bearing capacity of SMA RC columns from 60% to 120%.
However with prestrain level increasing, the enhancing trend weakened.
(4) Though both SMA and SMA/FRP have similar effects on strengthening the ultimate bearing
capacity of concrete columns, SMA reinforced columns have better ductility.
(5) In the main deformation area of the concrete columns, the enhancing effect of SMA wires on the
lateral strain is better than that in the axial strain.
(6) A practical calculation method and formula for the ultimate axial compression bearing capacity
of concrete columns restrained by prestrained SMA wires is proposed.
(7) The number of test samples in this study is limited, so further research is needed on the bearing
performance of superelastic SMA reinforced concrete columns. In particular, the calculation
method for the bearing capacity of super-elastic SMA-constrained concrete columns will be
further developed in future research.

Over all, this research provides a significant reference for improving the ability of concrete columns
to survive disaster scenarios.

Author Contributions: Conceptualization, H.Q.; methodology, C.H. and H.Q.; validation, G.S.; formal analysis,
C.H. and H.Q.; investigation, C.H. and H.Q.; resources, H.Q. and G.S.; data curation, C.H. and H.Q.;
writing—original draft preparation, C.H. and H.Q.; writing—review and editing, C.H., H.Q., and G.S.; funding
acquisition, H.Q. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: This research reported in this paper was supported by the National Science Foundation of China (NSFC)
through Grant No.51978631 and No.4178438.These supports are greatly appreciated.
Acknowledgments: The authors would like to thanks to Shamim A. Sheikh from University of Toronto for his
constructive suggestion for strain analysis.
Materials 2020, 13, 1227 17 of 19

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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