Shape memory alloy(SMA)is a kind of intelligent driving material with excellent performance,which can produce considerable recovery force through heating.The thermal triggered recovery force of NiTiNb SMA with wide thermal hysteresis can be permanently maintained at the ambient temperature of the engineering structure.If NiTiNb SMA is applied to the active restraint reinforcement of concrete structures,it can overcome the problems existing in the traditional active restraint reinforcement method,such as the tedious application of prestress,heavy construction machinery and serious loss of prestress,and effectively improve the quality and speed of the reinforcement construction.Based on the crystal structure and martensitic transformation of wide thermal hysteresis NiTiNb SMA,the recovery force output characteristics of NiTiNb SMA were explained.Further,the application of NiTiNb SMA as an intelligent driver in active restraint reinforcement of concrete structures was reviewed,the existing problems were pointed out,and the future development direction and research focus were discussed.