Dynamic Response of a High Aspect Ratio Wing Equipped with PZT Patches – A Theoretical and Experimental Study

The present study is aimed at demonstrating both the capability and the relevant restrictions of piezoceramic elements (patches) to provide enough authority to control the dynamic behavior of a full size wing type structure (supposedly more rigid). Therefore, a 3000-mm long composite wing, that represents a typical high aspect ratio (AR ¹ /4 16.7) wing was designed and fabricated. The theoretical dynamic behavior of the wing box was calculated using the MSC/NASTRAN finite element code. The wing was excited using bonded piezoelectric patches at its first five natural frequencies. The experimental results proved the capability to excite real type structures using piezoelectric patches. The present composite wing will be used as a test-bed to evaluate the performances of piezoelectric materials in vibration control and flutter suppression of flexible wings.