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In this paper, topology optimization is used to study the design of piezoelectric actuator with in-plane motion. Two case studies are reported, the maximization of the in-plane motion toward a pre-defined direction and the maximization of the output force. In addition to volume density as design variable used in the conventional topology optimization, a new design variable, electrode density, is introduced to model the electrode topology on the piezoelectric plate surface. Based on the electrode potential model, the relation between the nodal potential and the electrode density is established. Sensitivity analyses of objective function with respect to volume density and electrode density are derived from the adjoint method. Examples of optimized piezoelectric actuators from the proposed method are presented and discussed.

-In this paper, topology optimization problems with three types of body forces are considered: gravitational force, centrifugal force and inertia force. All these body forces are design dependent as they vary with the redistribution of materials during topology optimization process. In this study, a total mean compliance formulation is used to produce the stiffest structure under both external and body forces. Sensitivity analysis is carried out by the adjoint method. Finally, design examples are presented and compared to show the effects of body forces on the optimized results.

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