Modeling of distributed piezoelectric actuators integrated with thin cylindrical shells

The dynamic interaction between induced strain piezoelectric (PZT) actuators and their host structures is often ignored in the modeling of intelligent structures. A more realistic investigation of intelligent material systems must account for the dynamic behaviors of integrated actuator/substrate systems. In this paper, a generic method for the dynamic modeling of distributed PZT actuator-driven thin cylindrical shells has been developed using a mechanical impedance approach. The impedance characteristics of a cylinder corresponding to the excitation of a pair of pure bending moments have been developed, from which the dynamic output moments (or forces) of PZT actuators can be accurately predicted. Direct comparisons have been made between a conventional static modeling approach and the impedance method in order to identify the critical differences between these modeling methods for thin cylindrical structures. The case studies demonstrate that the mechanical impedance matching between PZT actuators and host structures has an impact on the output performance of the actuators. The dynamic essence of integrated PZT/substrate systems has thus been revealed.