Finite-element modeling of a smart cantilever plate and comparison with experiments

Abstract

The behavior of a cantilever plate instrumented with a piezoelectric sensor and actuator is described using finite-element modeling. To demonstrate the accuracy of the numerical model, a parallel experimental study was carried out in the laboratory for the same geometric dimensions. The two results are compared and show excellent agreement, demonstrating that finite-element modeling is a good approach for optimized smart structure design. A three-dimensional finite-element formulation is employed in the piezoelectric material region and a small neighboring region of the plate structure on which it is mounted. Shell elements, approximated by many flat-shell elements, are used in modeling the remaining part of the plate structure. Transition elements that connect the three-dimensional solid elements to the flat-shell element are used. For the cantilever plate example, the electrical input admittance as well as the sensor response are found from the finite-element analysis and they are compared with experimental measurements. From this, the accuracy and efficiency of this approach is demonstrated. In contrast to many other modeling techniques used for smart structures which are approximate and hence limited, the finite-element model is applicable to complicated geometries.

A Controllability Index for Optimal Design of Piezoelectric Actuators in Vibration Control of Beam Structures

“…In this paper, control designs on piezoelectric actuators are based on the state equation (12). In the sequel, the controllability index is introduced which is based on the state equation (12).…”

“…In the sequel, the controllability index is introduced which is based on the state equation (12). This index will be used to determine the optimal placements of piezoelectric actuators in vibration control of beam structures.…”

A semi-analytical solution for static and dynamic analysis of plates with piezoelectric patches

“…The method has merits in terms of accuracy and economy and was employed in the various vibration controls of piezoelectric structures (Kim et al, 1996(Kim et al, , 1997Lim et al, 2002;Lim, 2003).…”

Effect of electromechanical coupling on static deformations and natural frequencies

“…They [15] enhanced the code's capabilities to include viscoelastic material behavior and studied the damping induced by layers enclosed between the host structure and the PZT layers. Ha et al [16] also included incompatible modes in their three-dimensional FE code, and Kim et al [17] and Lim et al [18] used a combination of 20-node brick, 13-node transition, and 9-node plate elements to describe the behavior of an isotropic plate instrumented with PZT sensors and actuators. Saravanos et al [19] used a layerwise laminated plate theory, and Thornburgh and Chattopadhyay [20] used a higher-order laminated plate theory to study deformations of a smart structure.…”