A new finite element model for piezothermoelastic composite beam

Finite element modelling of piezothermoelastic composite beam with distributed piezoelectric sensor and actuator layers is considered in this paper. The mathematical model is based on a high-order displacement field, a new high-order electrical potential field and a linear temperature field. This model is developed for a composite beam structures using generalized virtual work principle and is facilitated by two nodes Hermitian beam element. Constant-gain negative velocity feedback control approach has been used for active vibration control with the structures subjected to impulse and thermal excitations. The influence of the pyroelectric effects on the vibration control performance is also investigated. Comparison of numerical results from this formulation with previous works, PVDF bimorph beam, shows that the present modelling method is very efficient. Additional numerical studies for piezothermoelastic composite beam demonstrate capabilities of the current formulation to predict the thermal deformation of composite beams, as well as the active compensation of these deformations using piezoelectric structures. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.