Coupled field analysis of piezoelectric materials for sensor and actuator applications using finite element method

Abstract

Sensors and actuators made of materials whose characteristics may be modified by external parameters have a wide range of uses. Piezoelectric materials come under this category that can convert mechanical energy to electrical energy and vice versa. In our daily lives, we come across a piezoelectric effect whether we realize it or not. To name a few are the piezo igniters for cooking, ultrasonic parking sensors, piezo buzzers in alarm clocks, and mobile phones. Any device can be modeled analytically in order to predict its behavior based on the fundamental theory that drives it. For the modeling of ultrasonic devices, the finite element approach is commonly employed, and commercial software are available. ANSYS' coupled field analysis allows you to evaluate the interaction between two fields. Static, modal, harmonic, and transient analyses are possible with regard to piezoelectric analysis. This paper presents the modal analysis of piezoelectric structures that enables the determination of the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the structure. The natural frequency thus obtained is verified with harmonic analysis.