Dynamic Responses of Smart Composites Using a Coupled Thermo-Piezoelectric-Mechanical Model

Abstract

A completely coupled thermo-piezcelectricmechanical theory is developed to model the dynamic response of composite plates with surface bonded piezoelectric actuators. A higher order laminate theory is used to describe the displacement fields of both composite laminate and piezoelectric actuator layers to accurately model the transverse shear deformation which is significant in moderately thick constructions. A higher order temperature field is used to accurately describe the temperature distribution through the thickness of composite plates subjected to a surface heat flux. A finite element model is developed to implement the theory. The results obtained using this model are correlated with those using an uncoupled model. Numerical analysis reveals that the thermo-piezoelectricmechanical coupling has a significant effect on the dynamic response of composite plates. It also affects the control authority of piezoclectric actuators.