Dynamic Mechanical Model of Surface-Bonded PZT Actuator: Theory and Experiment

Abstract

A dynamic mechanical model for actuating performance of piezoelectric material bonded on the surface of structures was established based on the second class of piezoelectric equation and continuum dynamics. Piezoelectric patches such as lead zironate titanate (PZT) to be used as an actuator were pasted on the surface of structures by bonding layers. An electrically and mechanically coupled model based on the piezoelectric equation and Newton's second law was set up and the dynamic equations of the coupled system were theoretically solved under the harmonic effect of the alternating voltage. Moreover, the effect of physical properties and the layer thickness of the PZT actuator were determined. The theoretical and experimental results showed that the proposed model was reasonable and precise to a certain extent.