MODELING OF DISTRIBUTED PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATORS INTEGRATED WITH THIN CYLINDRICAL-SHELLS

The dynamic interaction between induced strain piezoelectric (PZT) act uators and their host structures is often ignored in the modeling of i ntelligent structures. A more realistic investigation of intelligent m aterial systems must account for the dynamic behaviors of integrated a ctuator/substrate systems. In this paper, a generic method for the dyn amic modeling of distributed PZT actuator-driven thin cylindrical shel ls has been developed using a mechanical impedance approach. The imped ance characteristics of a cylinder corresponding to the excitation of a pair of pure bending moments have been developed, from which the dyn amic output moments (or forces) of PZT actuators can be accurately pre dicted. Direct comparisons have been made between a conventional stati c modeling approach and the impedance method in order to identify the critical differences between these modeling methods for thin cylindric al structures. The case studies demonstrate that the mechanical impeda nce matching between PZT actuators and host structures has an impact o n the output performance of the actuators. The dynamic essence of inte grated PZT/substrate systems has thus been revealed.