Stress analysis of sandwich composite beam induced by piezoelectric layer

Abstract

Introduction: Smart structures equipped with piezoelectric devices to sense and actuate the structure could be used in many engineering applications. To explore the smart structure further and apply it to more complex structures, some problems are critical to be concerned. Among them, delamination due to the high stress is an important issue since its serious effect on the strength and stiffness of the composite structure. Method: In this investigation, a piezoelectric layer is embedded into the host structure to form a sandwich composite structure. The piezoelectric layer is subjected to an electric voltage, yielding the bending effect on the sandwich composite structure. A theoretical model based on the Euler beam theory and interfacial continuity is presented to determine the stresses of the sandwich composite beam caused by the piezoelectric layer. Results: The influences of the embedded depth and Young's modulus of the piezoelectric layer on the stress distribution of the sandwich composite beam are investigated through a parametric study. The analytical solutions are verified by the finite element method. Good agreement is achieved between the present approach and the finite element method. Conclusions: Numerical analysis indicates that the maximum tensile stresses in the top and bottom layers are decreasing with the increase of the embedded depth, while the maximum compressive stress in the lead zirconate titanate layer is increasing with the increase of the embedded depth. Both the top and bottom layers are subjected to tensile stress and increasing with the increase of the Young's modulus ratio, while the piezoelectric layer is subjected to compressive stress and increasing with the increase of the Young's modulus ratio.

Active vibration optimal control of piezoelectric cantilever beam with uncertainties

“…The thickness and width of the symmetrical piezoelectric laminated beams with sensors/actuators are h and b, according to the first-order transverse shear deformation theory of the laminated beam, the displacement of any point outside the middle plane of beam is as follows 3 :…”

“…One of the most interesting and feasible active control configurations in this field includes the implementation of the excellent sensing and actuating properties exhibited by piezoelectric materials. 3 For the modeling of piezoelectric cantilever beam, the change of stiffness and mass caused by sticking piezoelectric material or embedding piezoelectric material is usually ignored, and a distributed moment is used to express the control effect of piezoelectric layer on the structure, [4][5][6][7] which can not accurately reflect the intrinsic mechanical characteristics of the piezoelectric smart structure. The finite element model of piezoelectric structure usually has a high order, which can not be directly used in the design of controller.…”

“…One of the most interesting and feasible active control configurations in this field includes the implementation of the excellent sensing and actuating properties exhibited by piezoelectric materials. 3…”

Modeling mechanical behavior of distributed piezoelectric actuators for morphing wing applications

“…Based on the electromechanical coupling theory and load simulation method, Ma et al (2020) investigated the electromechanical behavior of functionally graded piezoelectric composite beams. Her et al (2018) embedded a piezoelectric layer into the host structure to form a sandwich composite structure, and presented a theoretical model based on the Euler beam theory and interfacial continuity to determine the stresses of the sandwich composite beam. Zhou et al (2020) presented a novel approach for improving the reliability and driving capability of piezoelectric actuators by developing braided fiber piezoelectric composite actuators.…”

Adaptive vibration control of piezoelectric cantilever beams with uncertainties

“…Therefore, the vibration control of flexible beams has been widely studied. One of the most interesting and feasible active control configurations in this field includes the realization of excellent sensing and driving performance of piezoelectric materials [3].…”