Smart Hinges Using Shape Memory Alloys for Architectural Applications

Abstract

The objective of reducing energy usage in buildings has led to the development of adaptive and responsive systems that can respond to environmental changes in real time. Most responsive systems utilize rigid body mechanisms and electrically or pneumatically driven actuators. Actuation strategies are significant in designing adaptive facades since they are also in charge of energy consumption. Responsive systems can be integrated with smart materials capable of shape, color, and volume shifts in response to external stimuli change through material technology rather than relying on sensors, control systems, or active actuators. These smart materials, referred to as smart actuators, can be utilized to actuate systems. This study aims to present suggestions for a smart hinge for passive responsive shading structures using smart materials. The chosen smart material is nitinol wire, a shape memory alloy (SMA) with the ability to recall its preformed position. The methodology consists of two parts: an investigation of responsive systems composed of smart actuators and a proposal for a new smart hinge based on SMA utilizing Crane tool in Grasshopper. This paper shows the potential and constraints of smart actuators in architectural applications. The proposed smart hinge has the potential to contribute to the improvement of building envelopes through material technology. © 2025, Education and research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe. All rights reserved.