Distributed Modal Identification and Vibration Control of Continua: Piezoelectric Finite Element Formulation and Analysis

Abstract

“Smart” continua with integrated sensor/actuator for structural identification and control have drawn much attention in recent years due to the rapid development of high-performance “smart” structures. The continua are distributed and flexible in nature. Thus, distributed dynamic measurement and active vibration control are of importance to their high-demanding performance. In this paper, continua (shells or plates) integrated with distributed piezoelectric sensors and actuators are studied using a finite element technique. A new piezoelectric finite element with internal degrees of freedom is derived. Two control algorithms, namely, constant gain feedback control and Lyapunov control, are implemented. Structural identification and control of a plate model with distributed piezoelectric sensor/actuator is studied. Distributed modal voltage and control effectiveness of mono and biaxially polarized piezoelectric actuators are evaluated.