Integrated design of laminated composite structures with piezocomposite actuators for active shape control

Abstract

An integrated design approach of laminated composite structures actuated by piezocomposite materials is presented for active shape control. The primary purpose is to maximize static shape control authority of a piezo-actuated laminated plate by simultaneously optimizing the substrate laminates and the actuators. The design variables include thickness, ply angles of the substrate plate and locations, PZT fiber orientations of the actuators. Frequency constraints are implemented to obtain acceptable solutions. General genetic algorithm (GA) and NSGA-II are used to obtain the optimal designs. The results indicate that enhanced control authority must be achieved by simultaneously optimizing the substrate laminates and actuators. The bending-twisting coupling effect of the composites and anisotropic actuation effect of the piezocomposite actuators are conducive to produce improved static control performance. More shape control authority is available due to the presence of more actuators. Larger deformation can be produced with a low mass of the host composites without constraints but the structure would be too flexible. A series of Prato-optimal results can be obtained by considering trade-off between shape control authority and mass of the whole structure while considering constraints. Reasonable, practical designs can be obtained by imposing frequency constraints in the integrated design.