Finite element analysis of composite piezoelectric beam using comsol

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to illustrate the detailed steps of modeling a composite cantilever beam consists of two piezoelectric material layers that sandwich a layer of stainless steel. The modeling is to find the direct piezoelectricity relation in the beam when an external load is applied at the free end of the beam. The modeling is performed by using the finite element analysis software, COMSOL Multiphysics, MEMS modules, version 3.3. The simulation is divided into three main parts, each part uses different piezoelectric material. Part 1 is designated to the modeling of the beam when the two piezoelectric layers are of Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) material (T105-H4E-602, Piezo systems Inc., Cambridge, MA). Part 2 uses the piezoelectric material PMN32. Where, Part 3 is for the piezoelectric material of PMN28. Additionally, in each part, there are three different analysis types that are considered, Static, Eigenfrequency, and Time-Dependent Analysis. The purpose of the static analysis is to find the magnitudes and locations of the maximum strain, stress, and electrical potential on the cantilever beam when an external static load is applied to the beam’s free end. The eigenfrequency analysis is then performed to find the first six modes of frequencies and the deformation pattern of the beam. The time-dependent analysis is used to solve for the transient solution when the applied external load is time dependent and has a frequency that is close to the beam’s 1st natural frequency. Such a dynamic load should cause the beam to have maximum strain, stress, and electrical potential than a dynamic load with a frequency further away from the beam’s natural frequency.%%%%M.S., Mechanical Engineering – Drexel University, 2008