Seminar Series - 1998-1999

Developments in Thermopiezoelasticity with Relevance to Smart Composite Structures

Professor Theodore R. Tauchert
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY  40506-0108

Sponsored by: The University Research Council and the Department of Engineering Mechanics through a grant provided by Professor Emeritus C. Wayne Martin

Date:  Monday, March 29, 1999
Time:  3:30 p.m.
Place:  W128 Nebraska Hall


Due to their special characteristics, piezoelectric materials can function effectively as distributed sensors and actuators for controlling structural response. In sensor applications, mechanically or thermally induced disturbances can be determined from measurement of the induced electric potential difference (direct piezoelectric effect), whereas in actuator applications deformation or stress can be controlled through the introduction of an appropriate electric potential difference (converse piezoelectric effect). By integrating piezoelectric elements and advanced composite materials, the potential exists for forming high-strength, high-stiffness, light-weight structures capable of self-monitoring and self-controlling. Such "smart" structural systems have been the focus of considerable recent attention. While the majority of the research has been directed at behaviors of structures subject to isothermal conditions, an increasing number of investigations have addressed thermo-electro-mechanical responses.

Developments in piezothermoelasticity having relevance to intelligent structures are discussed in this talk. The equations governing axisymmetric behavior of a piezoelastic body are reviewed. A general solution procedure based upon potential functions is presented for the analysis of transversely isotropic thermoelastic and piezothermoelastic bodies. The method is used to derive exact solutions to problems involving response of a composite circular plate consisting of a piezoelectric material attached to a layer of structural material. Numerical results are presented for cases of: (i) a prescribed thermal loading; (ii) an inverse problem in which the thermal loading is determined from knowledge of induced electric potential; (iii) a control problem in which an electric potential is applied to control thermally induced deformation; and (iv) an intelligent plate problem, where the piezoelectric layer serves both to sense the thermal loading and to suppress the deformation.


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