Shape Memory Alloys (SMA) are able to recover large applied strains undergoing hysteresis transformation. Present work investigates superelastic SMA wire based cellular structures for energy absorption applications. Energy absorption under compression is studied on single SMA wire specimens. A novel methodology for fabrication of SMA wire based weaved pyramidal trusses is conceived. Weaved pyramidal trusses of different heights are fabricated and their response studied under quasi-static compression. Simulation approach for weaved pyramidal truss is developed and validated with experiments. SMA wire specimens are also investigated employing impact pendulum which proved their energy absorption capability under low velocity impact.
This study establishes simple technique for realization of SMA wire based truss structures and their applicability for energy absorption with minimal degradation over multiple static and dynamic load cycles.