Dynamic modelling and active vibration control of a submerged rectangular plate equipped with piezoelectric sensors and actuators

Abstract

The active vibration control of a rectangular plate either partially or fully submerged in a fluid was investigated. Piezoelectric sensors and actuators were bonded to the plate, and the assumed mode method was used to derive a dynamic model for the submerged plate. The properties of the piezoelectric actuators and sensors, as well as their coupling to the structure, were used to derive the corresponding equations of their behaviour. The fluid effect was modelled according to the added virtual mass obtained by solving the Laplace equation. The natural vibration characteristics of the plate both in air and in water were obtained theoretically and were found to be consistent with the experimental results, and the changes in the natural frequencies resulting from submersion in fluid can be accurately predicted. A multi-input, multi-output positive position feedback controller was designed by taking the natural vibration characteristics into account and was then implemented by using a digital controller. The experimental results show that piezoelectric sensors and actuators along with the control algorithm can effectively suppress the vibration of a rectangular plate both in air and submerged in a fluid.