Controlling a Shape Memory Alloy Two-Bar Truss Using Delayed Feedback Method

This work discusses the use of chaos control in smart structures. An archetypal model of a shape memory alloy (SMA) two-bar truss is treated. This system exhibits both constitutive and geometrical nonlinearities presenting a complex nonlinear dynamics response including either the snap-through or the chaotic behaviors. A constitutive model that presents a close agreement with experimental data is employed to describe the themomechanical SMA behavior. A variation of the continuous time-delayed feedback method is employed as a control strategy. This variable structure controller is applied to the stabilization of unstable periodic orbits of the SMA structure avoiding the snap-through behavior.