Fractal Behavior of Smart Materials

Active structures allow for real time control of a structure’s shape, stiffness, and damping. Accurately characterizing the mechanical response of smart materials enhances their implementation into active structures. Research was conducted to determine whether the fractional order of a material corresponds to measurable physical properties for a more accurate model. There is a potential relationship between a material’s mechanical properties and its fractal structure. Implementing fractal order mathematics to model these materials could be useful in consideration of sensors, structures, and product development in the fields such as impact absorption and water filtration. This project was completed with contributions from William Oates, Paul Miles, and Wei Gao from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Florida State University.