Developments in thermopiezoelasticity with relevance to smart composite structures

A review of theoretical developments in thermopiezoelasticity having releva nce to smart composite structures is presented. The equations governing lin ear response of piezothermoelastic media are outlined, and a general soluti on procedure based on potential functions is described. Sensor applications aimed at predicting thermal loads and corresponding responses from measure ments of electric potential distributions are described; studies on the con trol of composite structures (beams, plates and shells) via piezoelectric a ctuation are reviewed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.