Length scale-dependent natural frequencies of piezoelectric microplates

The length-scale free vibration analysis of a rectangular microplate coupled with piezoelectric layers is presented. The modified couple stress theory is used to describe the size effect of the system. The governing equations of motion are obtained using Hamilton's principle based on the classical plate theory. The transverse part of the electric potential for the piezoelectric layers is considered to satisfy the Maxwell's equation and the electrical boundary conditions. A new procedure is introduced to decouple the governing equations and then an analytical Levy-type solution is obtained. The exact natural frequencies are established for a wide range of length scales, various plate dimensions, several piezoelectric layer thicknesses, and different boundary conditions. The results show that the effect of length scale parameter is decreased by the piezoelectric electrical field.