On Finite Element Analysis of Piezoelectric Controlled Smart Structures

Abstract

The increasing engineering activities in the development and industrial application of piezoelectric smart structures require effective and reliable simulation and design tools [9]. Even if significant progress has been observed over the past years most of such developments are restricted to special requirements and applications [2]. In our opinion the finite element method (FEM) is an excellent basis to develop overall software tools which meet the engineering requirements. Consequently, such a general purpose software tool has been designed by the authors and realized step by step over the last few years [1], [3], [4]. Recently, this tool was completed by new thin shell type elements as well as a data interface to connect controller design tools with our finite element analysis tool. In the paper the focus is on these new developments. First the theoretical basis of our finite element software tool is presented briefly. Then the new electromechanical coupled layered thin shell elements are prescribed which are very efficient to simulate the global structural behavior of thin-walled structures controlled by piezoelectric wafers and fibers. After that our concept to connect finite element analysis and controller design is given which result in an computer based overall design and simulation strategy for smart structure. Finally, the active vibration suppression of an excited plate structure is presented as a test example to demonstrate the applicability of our finite element based overall design and simulation software.