Active shape control of a double-plate structures using piezoceramicsand SMA wires

Abstract

A method for the shape control of double-plate structures ispresented. The model consists of three plates and many ribs. Two of the platesare placed parallel to each other and clamped at one edge. The third plateconnects the edges of the parallel plates that are opposite the fixed edge. Each rib is made ofshape memory alloy (SMA) wire and connected to the parallel plates. Each ribgenerates a concentrated force and applies it to the plates in perpendicularand oblique directions. Piezoceramic patches are bonded onto the platesand exert concentrated moments upon the plates at several locations.The object of this research is to generate various structural shapes bycombining the concentrated forces from the SMA wires and moments from thepiezoceramic patches. The possibility of shape control is examined by finiteelementanalysis. Numerical results show the capability of shape control by SMA wiresand piezoceramics in the elastic range. Experimental results on shape control arepresented to compare with the numerical results.