The static and dynamic analysis of laminated composite plates with piezoelectric laminae is investigated using three different finite element models derived based on the generalized laminate plate theory of Reddy. The results computed by these three models are compared in order to assess the models for simulating accurately piezoelectric plate structures. A negative velocity feedback control is used to simulate the direct and converse piezoelectric effects. The effects of the location of the piezoelectric laminae and composite stacking sequences are studied as well. The transient response of the plate subjected to a basement transverse disturbance is calculated. It is shown that the feedback control can effectively suppress the vibration. Numerical examples demonstrated that the finite element model based on the third-order shear deformation theory is an effective tool for designing active control system for thick laminated composite plates with piezoelectric laminae.
The subject area of smart/intelligent materials and structures has experienced tremendous research and development in the last two decades. One reason for this activity is that it may by possible to create certain types of structures and systems capable of adapting to or correcting for changing operating conditions. The advantage of incorporating these special types of materials into the structure is that the sensing and actuating mechanism becomes part of the structure. In the early stage of investigation of the use of piezoelectric materials, Naillon et al. (1983) established a finite element model from the constitutive equations of the piezoelectric material. Up to now, considerable amount of research had been done to study the use of piezoelectric as sensors and actuators in monitoring and controlling vibrations of flexible structures[see Reddy (1999)]. Tzou and Tseng (1990) derived the dynamic equations of a piezoelectric element by using the piezoelectric constitutive equations.
