Dynamic Modeling and Analysis of a Rotating Piezoelectric Smart Beam

In active vibration control study, piezoelectric actuators and sensors are bonded on the surface of a beam. They can change the frequency and modal characteristics of the system. This paper presents an analysis of the frequency response to a rotating piezoelectric smart beam. Hamilton’s principle along with the assumed mode method are employed to derive the governing equations of the first-order approximate coupling model for the piezoelectric smart beam. The coupling is taken into account as the second-order coupling effect of the axial elongation caused by the transverse displacement of the beam. Then, the equations are transformed into a dimensionless form after identifying the necessary parameters. The dimensionless natural frequencies of the piezoelectric smart beam corresponding to the bending and stretching vibrations are obtained through a numerical simulation, with comparison made of those of the beam with no actuator or sensor. Furthermore, the implication is investigated of the structural parameters and bond location on the piezoelectric actuators and sensors. Besides, the common case of a smart beam bonded with multiple pairs of piezoelectric actuators and sensors is studied, and the effects of the first natural frequency and tip deformation are analyzed. The research provides a theoretical reference for the optimization of structural parameters and location of piezoelectric actuators and sensors, thereby preventing the resonance when the excitation frequency is approximately equal to the natural frequency of the beam.

Optimal Piezoelectric Actuators and Sensors Configuration for Vibration Suppression of Aircraft Framework Using Particle Swarm Algorithm

Numbers and locations of sensors and actuators play an important role in cost and control performance for active vibration control system of piezoelectric smart structure. This may lead to a diverse control system if sensors and actuators were not configured properly. An optimal location method of piezoelectric actuators and sensors is proposed in this paper based on particle swarm algorithm (PSA). Due to the complexity of the frame structure, it can be taken as a combination of many piezoelectric intelligent beams and L-type structures. Firstly, an optimal criterion of sensors and actuators is proposed with an optimal objective function. Secondly, each order natural frequency and modal strain are calculated and substituted into the optimal objective function. Preliminary optimal allocation is done using the particle swarm algorithm, based on the similar optimization method and the combination of the vibration stress and strain distribution at the lower modal frequency. Finally, the optimal location is given. An experimental platform was established and the experimental results indirectly verified the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.

A time domain spectral layerwise finite element for wave structural health monitoring in composite strips with physically modeled active piezoelectric actuators and sensors

A new explicit, two-dimensional plane strain, time domain spectral finite element is developed to enhance the simulation of guided waves generated by active piezoelectric sensors in laminated composite strips. A new multi-field layerwise theory is formulated for composite laminates with piezoelectric actuators and sensors which captures straight-crested symmetric and anti-symmetric Lamb waves. Third-order Hermite polynomial splines are employed for the approximation of displacements and electric potential through the thickness, and the piezoelectric actuators and sensors are physically modeled through coupled electromechanical governing equations. A multi-node finite element formulation is presented entailing displacement and electric degrees of freedom at nodes collocated with Gauss–Lobatto–Legendre integration points. Stiffness, diagonal mass, piezoelectric, and electric permittivity matrices are described, and the coupled transient electromechanical response is predicted by a properly formulated explicit time integration scheme. The numerical results of a nine-node time domain spectral finite element are correlated with the reported numerical results and with measured Lamb wave data generated by piezoceramic active sensor pairs in carbon/epoxy plate strips. Important effects introduced by the stiffness and mass of the active actuator/sensor system on Lamb wave propagation are captured by the developed finite element and quantified.