Optimal Dynamic Response Control of Adaptive Thin-Walled Cantilevers Carrying Heavy Stores and Exposed to Blast Pulses

The optimal dynamic response control of adaptive thin-walled beam cantilevers carrying externally mounted stores and exposed to blast pulses is investigated. The structure under consideration is modeled as a thin-walled beam of closed cross-section contour, encompassing a number of non-classical features such as transverse shear, secondary warping, and anisotropy of the constituent materials. The structure can carry along its span heavy concentrated masses and/or tip stores. The vibration control is achieved via the use of actuating and sensing capabilities provided by piezoelectric devices which are bonded or embedded into the host structure. The cases of piezoactuators spread over the entire span of the structure, or in the form of a patch are considered, and issues related to the influence of patch location and size upon the vibration control efficiency are highlighted. Other issues related to the minimization of the required input power and of that generated by the inclusion/discard in the quadratic performance index of time-dependent external excitations are also addressed.