Structural modeling of composite beams with induced-strain actuators

Abstract

This paper presents an analytical-experimental investigation on structural modeling of coupled composite beams with distributed induced-strain actuators. Analysis based on Vlasov theory is developed to include distributed piezoelectric actuators, either surface mounted or embedded. Salient features of composite open-section beam analysis, like constrained warping and transverse shear deformation, were included. Induced-strain actuation was introduced in the constitutive relations of plate segment of the open-section composite beams. To evaluate the analytical predictions, several bending-torsion and extension-torsion coupled graphite-epoxy solid beams were fabricated using an autoclave molding technique. These were surface mounted with piezoelectric actuators. The actuators were excited to produce local bending moment and axial force on the beam, and the structural response was measured in terms of bending slope, induced twist, and surface strain. Good correlation between analysis and experiment was achieved. Because of the existence of a chordwise actuator moment, the induced twist of bending-torsi on coupled beams was significantly influenced by including the chordwise curvature of the plate segment of beam in the formulation. For [45]i4 solid beams, the chordwise bending of the plate segment of beam was found to increase the tip twist by about