Least-squares method for laminated beams with distributed braided piezoelectric composite actuators

Abstract

Piezoelectric ceramics are a very popular material in the field of actuator technology due to their unique piezoelectric properties. However, the brittle behavior of ceramics endangers the reliability of piezoelectric actuators. In this article, the three-dimensional braided piezoelectric composite is utilized to ameliorate the reliability and driving capability of piezoelectric actuators. The static analysis of laminated beam with the distributed braided piezoelectric composite actuator is presented to study its driving capability. Based on the piezoelectric constitutive equations and Euler–Bernoulli beam theory, the governing equation of the piezoelectric laminated beam is derived. The least-squares method for the piezoelectric laminated beam is established to solve the derived governing equation. The current approach is validated by comparison with published results and finite element results. In the numerical examples, the effects of the number and spacing of the three-dimensional braided piezoelectric composite patches, actuator central location, actuator length, actuator thickness ratio, cantilever beam thickness, applied voltage and fiber volume fraction on the driving capability of the distributed braided piezoelectric composite actuator are investigated. This study suggests the potential use of the distributed braided piezoelectric composite actuator in intelligent structures and provides useful guidance for the design and optimization of piezoelectric actuators.