Frequency manipulation of a light-activated shape-memory polymer-laminated cylindrical shell

Abstract

A light-activated shape-memory polymer is a novel smart material that exhibits a dynamic Young's modulus when exposed to light. The non-contact actuation feature facilitates the lamination of a light-activated shape-memory polymer on host structures for realising frequency control. In this study, we investigated the natural frequency of a simply supported cylindrical shell coupled with light-activated shape-memory polymer patches located arbitrarily on the shell. Initially, we compared the natural frequency of a completely laminated cylindrical shell using two different approaches. Further, we analysed the effect of changes in the length and location of the light-activated shape-memory polymer patch pair on the natural frequency of the cylindrical shell. Based on the experimental results, we propose an optimal scheme, wherein several light-activated shape-memory polymer patch pairs are distributed on the surface of the shell, and the frequency control capability of the proposed scheme is evaluated comprehensively. The results verify that the optimal scheme has an adequate control effect on the natural frequency of the cylindrical shell.