Computation of macro-fiber composite integrated thin-walled smart structures

Due to high flexibility, reliability, and strong actuation forces, piezo fiber based composite smart material, macro-fiber composite (MFC), is increasingly applied in various fields for vibration suppression, shape control, and health monitoring. The complexity arrangement of MFC materials makes them difficult in numerical simulations. This paper develops a linear electro-mechanically coupled finite element (FE) model for composite laminated thin-walled smart structures bonded with MFC patches considering arbitrary piezo fiber orientation. Two types of MFCs are considered, namely, MFC-d31 in which the d ₃₁ effect dominates the actuation forces, and MFC-d33 which mainly uses the d ₃₃ effect. The proposed FE model is validated by static analysis of an MFC bonded smart plate. (paper)