Optimal Allocation of Piezoelectric Passive Dampers for a Panel Exposed to Fluid Flow: Maximum Critical Velocity Design Problem

In this study, the improvement of the stability limit of a panel exposed to fluid flow, a typical nonconservative structural system is discussed. As an adaptive panel, piezoelectric materials are embedded into the panel making piezoelectric passive dampers accompanying a pair of resistance and inductance. The stability limit of such a panel is characterized by means of the critical velocity of external flow that induces panel flutter, and the critical flow velocity is maximized by the appropriate allocation of piezoelectric passive dampers and the selection of circuit parameters of dampers. The damper allocation and circuit parameters selection are optimized using a simple genetic algorithm. Numerical cases demonstrate the increase of critical flow velocity by appropriate design of damper allocation.