Formulation of a beam structure with induced strain actuators based on an approximated linear shear stress field

Abstract

Many applications based on the implementation of intelligent material systems and structures have employed induced strain actuators as the energy input devices or actuating elements. In order to use the actuation mechanisms of integrated strain actuators effectively, the actuator/substructure coupling effects must be completely understood and modeled accurately. In this paper, a new analytical model refered to as the linear shear stress variation model (LSSVM), is developed based on an approximated through-the-thickness linear shear stress field. The LSSVM captures the physics of the induced stress field that all other existing models have not been able to describe. Closed-form solutions for the entire stresslstrain field distributions as well as the actuation-induced structural behavior are obtained. The formulation of the model is presented in detail in this paper along with an example of its capability.