Vibration analysis of thin-wall structures containing piezoactive layers

Abstract

A coupled dynamic problem of electro-mechanics for a layered beam is formulated based on the Kirchhoff-Love hypotheses. In the case of harmonic loading, a simplified formulation is given using the single frequency approximation and the concept of complex moduli. As an example, the problem of forced vibration of a three-layer sandwich beam (aluminium alloy core covered with piezoelectric layers) with hinged ends is solved in order to investigate the accuracy and applicability of the approximate monoharmonic approach. Different aspects of the beam response to the mechanical and electric excitation are studied.