Smart structures by integrated piezoelectric thin fibres (II): Properties of composites and their physical description

The present paper describes the performance of glass fibre reinforced polym ers (GFRP) with integrated piezoelectric transducers formed by aligned piez oceramic fibres (50 mu m, type A) or microrods (120 mu m, type B), both ter minated by an interdigital electrode. The following results have been obtai ned experimentally: demonstration of electromechanical coupling of a 5 cm x 12 cm vibrating plate via transducers A and B; demonstration of impact sen sing capability of transducer A integrated in a 19 cm x 20 cm plate and dem onstration of passive piezoelectric damping using a shunted transducer B wi th relative dissipation of power (e.g. related to the power stored within t he transducer) of 12 %.