Abstract
A post-processing method is proposed to improve the accuracy of electric potential in smart composite plates. We employ a higher-order plate theory that consists of cubic in-plane and quadratic out-of-plane displacements. Starting from three-dimensional piezoelectricity, we systematically develop post-processing and recovery procedures by using three-dimensional piezoelectric equilibrium equations. The method proposed is applied to cross-ply piezoelectric laminates in cylindrical bending. The results obtained are compared to those of exact elasticity. It is observed that the mechanical quantities approach those of elasticity as the plate becomes very thin, whereas the electrical quantities do not. The discontinuity of transverse shear strains plays a crucial role in the prediction of electric potential. Irrespective of the length-to-thickness ratios of plates, the error of electric potential in the higher-order theory is about 10%. This error can be reduced by improving the transverse shear strains via the proposed method.
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