Adaptive Beams with Integrated Thermal Actuator

Abstract:
This paper presents an adaptive concrete beam with an integrated thermal actuator. The main task of the actuator is to manipulate the deflection of the beam. Due to the integration in the beam, the actuator design takes into account especially the requirements for a wear- and maintenance-free design. The aim of this investigation is to demonstrate the suitability of thermal actuation of adaptive beams by an experimental validation. The results of a bending test demonstrate the compensation of the deflection caused by an external load.