Structural behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) column strengthened with smart material of shape memory alloy

This study examines the axial performance of reinforced concrete (RC) columns strengthened using activated Fe-SMA strips. The shape memory effect induced active confinement, which led to significant improvements in strength, ductility, and energy dissipation. Compared to passive systems, the SMA-based technique enhanced post-peak behavior and self-centering capacity. The experimental results were supported by validated finite element models, which accurately predicted the structural response. The findings highlight the potential of Fe-SMA confinement as a practical and efficient retrofit strategy for enhancing the axial load-carrying capacity and resilience of existing RC columns.