Intrawell and interwell oscillations for bi-stable cross-ply laminates actuated by MFC under oscillating impulse voltages

Abstract

The snap-through is a typical geometric nonlinear problem for the bi-stable laminate structures. Using the Macro Fiber Composite (MFC) actuators to actuate the snap-through behavior of the morphing structures has attracted considerable attention. In this paper, the intrawell oscillations and interwell oscillations are studied for the asymmetric four layers cross-ply bi-stable rectangular laminate actuated by the d33 type MFC actuator. It is assumed that the four edges of the bi-stable laminate are free while the geometry center of it is fixed. On the basis of the classical laminated plate theory and the Hamilton’s principle, the equations of motion of the bi-stable laminate which are expressed by curvatures are presented. The stable equilibrium configurations of the bi-stable laminate considering the effects of MFC are given. Under the action of oscillating impulse voltages, the intrawell oscillations and interwell oscillations of the system are analyzed in detail through the frequency-response curves, time response and the phase portraits. The numerical results show that the snap-through behavior is easier to realize for the bi-stable laminate actuated by the oscillating impulse voltages than that actuated by the static voltages. Furthermore, snap-through behavior can be better controlled by changing the amplitude and frequency of the applied voltages in a certain range.