Wave Propagation in Electromechanical Structures: Induced by Embedded Piezoelectric Actuators

This paper provides an analytical analysis of the elastic wave propagation in an elastic medium induced by an embedded thin sheet piezoceramic actuator under high frequency dynamic electric loads. A new actuator model taking account of the deformation in both the transverse and longitudinal directions of the actuator is developed. The wave propagation induced by the actuator is studied using Fourier transform method and solving the resulting integral equations in terms of the interfacial normal and shear stresses. Detailed numerical simulation is conducted to evaluate the effects of the geometry of the actuator, the material combination and the loading frequency upon the load transfer and the resulting wave propagation.