Experimental characterisation of a Cu-based shape memory alloy toward its exploitation in passive control devices

Abstract
In order to check the availability of an alloy different from Nitinol for the application in monumental building retrofitting, the authors ordered the production of a cupper based alloy in a quantity consistent with the needs of an accurate experimental campaign. The material consists of a Cu-Al-Be alloy. The producer realized a specific casting and from it issued several samples ready to be adopted as specimen in testing. This includes the usual characterization of a material as well as a more sophisticated monitoring of the material ability to dissipate energy for loading/unloading cycles. Specimens have the diameter of both wires and bars. The paper reports the first results of this testing activity before entering the checks of interest toward the pursued application.