Vibration Delocalization of Nearly Periodic Structures Using Coupled Piezoelectric Networks

Abstract

It is known that, when the mechanical coupling between the substructures is weak, small imperfections in a periodic structure can induce vibration localization. This phenomenon could lead to large vibration in certain regions of the structure and could be very harmful to the system. In this study, it is shown that the proposed coupled piezoelectric circuits can greatly relieve or even eliminate such localization problems. Part of the structural vibration energy will be transferred into electrical energy through the piezoelectric materials, and the newly created electro-mechanical wave/energy channel will sustain the energy propagation throughout the structure. The effectiveness and robustness of the coupled piezoelectric circuits on reducing vibration localization is demonstrated through analysis. Design guidelines are also established via approximation techniques and parametric studies.