PIEZOELECTRIC MODAL SENSOR ACTUATOR DESIGN FOR MONITORING GENERATING FLEXURAL AND TORSIONAL VIBRATIONS OF CYLINDRICAL-SHELLS

This paper presents a methodology for designing piezoelectric sensors/ actuators in an application to monitor/generate flexural and torsional vibrations of cylindrical shells. Based upon the classical laminate t heory the equations of the electro-mechanical interactions, the consti tutive, and the strain-displacement relations of piezoelectric composi te cylindrical shells are derived. With these relations the piezoelect ric sensor and actuator equations of the cylindrical shell are then de veloped. The modal sensors/actuators fabricated with PVDF embedded in the composite cylindrical shell capable of monitoring and generating v ibrations of a particular mode or several combined modes are also deve loped. Finally, an experimental rig is designed to generate both the f lexural and torsional vibrations of a circular cylindrical shaft for e xamining the capabilities of the modal sensors.