Modeling of electromechanical response and fracture resistance of multilayer piezoelectric energy harvester with residual stresses

The article focuses on a modeling and subsequent optimization of a novel layered architecture of the vibration piezoceramic energy harvester composed of ZrO ₂ /Al ₂ O ₃ /BaTiO ₃ layers and containing thermal residual stresses. The developed analytical/numerical model allows to determine the complete electromechanical response and the apparent fracture toughness of the multilayer vibration energy harvester, upon consideration of thermal residual stresses and time-harmonic kinematic excitation. The derived model uses the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory, Hamilton’s variational principle, and a classical laminate theory to determine the first natural frequency, steady-state electromechanical response of the beam upon harmonic vibrations, and also the mechanical stresses within particular layers of the harvester. The laminate apparent fracture toughness is computed by means of the weight function approach. A crucial point is the further optimization of the layered architecture from both the electromechanical response and the fracture resistance point of view. Maximal allowable excitation acceleration of the harvester upon which the piezoelectric layer will not fail is determined. It makes possible to better use the harvester’s capabilities in a given application and simultaneously guarantee its safe operation. Outputs of the derived analytical model were validated with finite element method simulations and available experimental results, and a good agreement between all approaches was obtained.