In Russia, scientists have developed a model to accurately predict how materials behave under strong vibrations, including those caused by earthquakes. These materials, known as shape-memory alloys, can "remember" their original form and return to it after deformation.
The characteristics of these materials depend on temperature and its changes. Alloys with a single composition can become more rigid or flexible depending on the conditions. This allows for their use in construction or machine building, addressing specific challenges.
Scientists from St. Petersburg State University, in collaboration with the RAS Institute for Machine Science, have created a model that considers the temperature of the environment, thermal effects, and the speed of material deformation.
The best results in the systems under study were achieved by using two approaches. The first is to quickly cool the alloy, and the second is to heat the material before it transitions to a high-temperature phase and then cool it.
This model can be used to design more effective vibration-resistant and seismic-resistant structures, as well as critical infrastructure elements. The model allows researchers to choose the best alloys and application methods.
Earlier, Russian scientists presented an alloy that disappears without a trace.