Active damping of multiferroic composite plates using 1–3 piezoelectric composites

Abstract

A layer-wise shear deformation theory is used to analyze the smart damping of multiferroic composite or magneto-electro-elastic (MEE) plates. The intent of this analysis is to investigate the need for incorporating additional smart elements for controlling the vibrations of multiferroic composite plates. Active constrained layer damping (ACLD) treatment has been incorporated to alleviate the vibration of MEE plate. A layer of viscoelastic material is used as constrained layer for the ACLD treatment. The coupled constitutive equations of multiferroic (ferroelectric and ferromagnetic) composite materials along with the total potential energy principle are used to derive the finite element formulation for the overall multiferroic or MEE plate. Maxwell’s electrostatic and electromagnetic relations are used to compute the electric and magnetic potential distribution. Influence of obliquely reinforced piezoelectric fibers in the piezoelectric layer of the ACLD treatment has also been investigated. In order to investigate the importance of using ACLD treatment for an active damping of multiferroic or MEE plate, an active control of MEE plate has also been analyzed by providing the control voltage directly to the piezoelectric layers of the MEE substrate plate without using the ACLD treatment. The present study suggests that for an optimal control of MEE plates, the smartness element such as the ACLD treatment is essentially required.