Finite element modelling of macro fiber composite with interdigitated electrode for engineering applications
Smart structures with Macro fiber composite (MFC) piezoelectric actuators have been increasingly applied in engineering. A simple but elaborate finite element model of the smart structures not only can predict vibration dynamics, but also can reduce challenges and computational expense in engineering application. Therefore, a simplified FEM developed to model MFC with interdigitated electrodes (IDEs) is proposed in this paper. A new scheme of FEM for IDEs in MFC is presented. With assuming the poling direction is along the same direction and voltage-progressive electrodes configuration in FEM, the piezoelectric elements employ an equivalent periodic tensile/compressive strain and constant electric potential in the poling direction. Numerical tests of free strain and blocking force and experimental methods are both employed to verify the FEM in this paper. A cantilever aluminum beam with a single MFC actuator is presented. The natural frequencies, vertical deflection and Modal Assurance Criterion (MAC) based on the resonant frequencies show the fidelity of the EF model agree well with experimental measurement. This work presented provides a novel FEM to model MFC for engineering applications such as vibration actuation.
New Efficient Technique for Finite Element Modeling of Macro Fiber Composite Piezoelectric Materials
A lot of interest to simulate piezocomposite actuators with finite element method has been increased recently. However, there are still open questions regarding the modeling methodology, accuracy, and computational time cost. In this work, a new technique for modeling macro fiber composite piezoelectric actuator by finite element analysis is proposed. The presented technique models the piezocomposite actuator as a simple monolithic piezoceramic material with just two electrodes along its longitudinal extremes instead of using the actual large number of electrodes which results in very fine finite element mesh with high computational time cost. The proposed technique is validated successfully by comparing its results with those of the actual detailed model as well as with the published experimental results and manufacturer’s data.
Modeling approach for two-dimensional distributed transducers of arbitrary spatial distribution
A new modeling method for two-dimensional distributed transducers with arbitrary spatial distribution is presented. The spatial weighting of a distributed transducer is defined using multi-dimensional distributions with composite functions as arguments. A differentiation theorem is derived for one-dimensional distributions of composite functions and is extended to multi-dimensions through the use of partial distributional derivatives and the product rule. The resulting theory is used to determine the differential operator describing the distributed transducer's spatial dynamics. The methodology, which is valid for both uniaxial and biaxial transducers, is applied to several two-dimensional problems.