Optimal piezo-actuator locations/lengths and applied voltage for shape control of beams

Abstract

Shape control of beams under general loading conditions is implemented using piezoceramic actuators to provide the control forces. The objective of the shape-control is to minimize the maximum deflection of the beam to obtain a min-max deflection configuration with respect to loading and piezo-actuators. In practice, the loading on a beam is a variable quantity with respect to its magnitude, and this aspect can be handled easily by optimizing the magnitude of the applied voltage to achieve the min-max deflection. This property of the smart materials technology overcomes the problem of one-off conventional optimal designs which become suboptimal when the loading magnitude changes.In addition to the magnitude of the applied voltage, the optimal values for the locations and the lengths of the piezo-actuators are determined to achieve the min-max deflection. Due to the complexity of the governing equations involving finite length piezo patches, the numerical results are obtained by the finite-difference method. The analysis of the problem shows the effect of the actuator locations, lengths and the applied voltage on the maximum deflection. The optimal values for the actuator locations and the voltage are determined as functions of the load locations and load magnitudes, respectively. The effect of the actuator length on the min-max deflection is investigated and it is observed that the optimal length depends on the applied voltage. Finally, it is shown that using multiple actuators are more effective than a single actuator in the cases of complicated loading.

Optimal Shape Control of Piezoelectric Intelligent Structure Based on Genetic Algorithm

“…On the other hand, Barboni et al [10] used a method combining a dynamic influence function and closed-loop feedback to study the optimal location of a pair of piezoelectric actuators, thus maximizing piezoelectric intelligent beam displacement. Another study considered the influence of the location, dimension, and voltage of piezoelectric actuators on shape control, and performed multi-objective optimization of cantilever shape control, minimizing beam deflection under the external load effect [11]. Conversely, Zhang et al [12] studied the integrated optimization configuration problem of piezoelectric actuators and sensors in a flexible structure system by applying the genetic algorithm, while Da Mota Silva et al [13] used the variance between the preset and real displacement of a specific node to study the static shape control of self-adaptable structure, established an infinite model of the structure system, and determined the optimal driving voltage of piezoelectric elements by applying the genetic algorithm.…”

Layout Optimization of Piezoelectric Elements With External Electric Circuits in Smart Constructions Based on Solution of the Natural Vibrations Problem

“…The transverse deformation of the initial structure is thus the function of the sensor (actuator) position. Hence, as it was shown in works [6][7][8], the transverse deformation of the initial structure can be used as a criterion for selection of the optimal location of sensors or actuators.…”

Analysis of an adhesively bonded single-strap joint integrated with shape memory alloy (SMA) reinforced layers

“…It is well known that smart materials, such as piezoelectric and ferroelectric ceramics, which have outstanding thermo-electro-mechanic coupling characteristics, have been widely used as sensors and actuators in practical engineering structures; Crawley and de Luis (1987), Lee and Moon (1990), Liang and Rogers (1992), , Chen and Levy (1996), Brinson et al (1997), Bruch et al (2000, Wang and Wang (2000), Cheng et al (2000a), Pae et al (2000), Batra and Geng (2001), Wu et al (2001), Luo and Tong (2002), Shaw (2002), Tsai and Chen (2002) and Cheng et al (2005a,b). Further, due to the elasticity and shape memory characteristics, as detailed in Fig.…”