Validation of a Laminated Beam Model of LIPCA Piezoelectric Actuators

This paper presents the results obtained by using a laminated beam model to predict the displacement of lightweight piezoceramic composite actuators (LIPCA) due to an applied input voltage and an applied transverse load for developmental purposes. The laminated beam model results in two primary design parameters, the actuation coefficient of a laminated beam C _ulb and the bending stiffness of a laminated beam EI _lb The parameter C _ulb controls maximum displacement when the actuators are subjected to an applied voltage, whereas the parameter EI _lb affects the displacement performance when a transverse load is applied to the actuators. The result of the laminated beam model indicates that designing to maximize C _ulb and EI _lb could generate LIPCA-type actuators with larger displacement and higher force. This laminated beam result is validated numerically by using a NASTRAN finite element model result and is also validated experimentally.