SHAPE CONTROL OF NONSYMMETRICAL PIEZOLAMINATED COMPOSITE BEAMS

In this paper the exact deflections of generally laminated piezoelectr ic composite beams are found using a new method, which includes the ef fect of rotary inertia and shear deformations. The effect of shear in laminated beams is more significant than in homogenous beams due to th e fact that the ratio of extensional stiffness to the transverse shear stiffness is high. The exact stiffness matrix is derived, and then an y set of boundary conditions, including elastic connections and assemb ly of members, can be solved as in the classical direct stiffness meth od for framed structures. In this paper several examples are given, an d the posibilities for shape control are investigated. (C) 1997 Elsevi er Science Ltd.