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This paper presents the development of an iron-based shape memory alloy (Fe-SMA) system for the strengthening of steel plates. The shape memory effect (SME), which is the tendency of a deformed SMA to return to its original shape upon heating and subsequent cooling, was used in this study for prestressing steel plates. Five steel specimens were strengthened with different configurations (single-side, double-side, activated, and non-activated) of the Fe-SMA strips. A mechanical anchorage system was developed to anchor the prestressed Fe-SMA strips to the steel substrate. The SME in the Fe-SMA strips was then activated (i.e., the strips were prestressed) by heating to a temperature of approximately 260 °C using an electrical resistive heating technique. The test results showed that the achieved recovery stress of the Fe-SMA strips (i.e., the prestressing level after activation) was approximately in the range of …