Coupled Layerwise Analysis of Composite Beams with Embedded Piezoelectric Sensors and Actuators

Unified mechanics are developed with the capability to model both sensory and active composite laminates with embedded piezoelectric layers. Two discretelayer (or layerwise) formulations enable analysis of both global and local electromechanical response. The first assumes constant through-the-thickness displacement, while the second permits piecewise continuous variation. The mechanics include the contributions from elastic, piezoelectric and dielectric components. The incorporation of electric potential into the state variables permits representation of general electromechanical boundary conditions. Approximate finite element solutions for the static and freevibration analysis of beams are presented. Applications on composite beams demonstrate the capability to represent either sensory or active structures, and to model the complicated stressstrain fields, the interactions between passive/active layers and interfacial phenomena between sensors and composite plies. The capability to predict the dynamic characteristics under various electrical boundary conditions is demonstrated. Some advantages of the variable transverse displacement formulation on the freevibration response of sensory structures are also shown.