Mechanics for the analysis of laminated composite shells with piezoele
ctric actuators and sensors are presented, A new mixed laminate theory
for piezoelectric shells is developed in curvilinear coordinates that
combines single-layer assumptions for the displacements and a layerwi
se representation for the electric potential. The resultant coupled go
verning equations for curvilinear piezoelectric laminates are describe
d, Structural mechanics are subsequently developed and an eight-node f
inite element is formulated for the static and dynamic analysis of ada
ptive composite shell structures of general laminations containing pie
zoelectric layers. Evaluations of the method and comparisons with repo
rted results were performed, Numerical results for cylindrical laminat
ed piezoelectric composite panels with continuous piezoceramic actuato
rs and cantilever shells with continuous or discrete piezoelectric act
uators and sensors illustrate the advantages of the method and quantif
y the effects of curvature on the electromechanical response of piezoe
lectric shells.