Pole-zero modeling for smart viscoelastic structures

Experimental and numerical results are presented which illustrate the use of pole-zero models for design of smart viscoelastic structures. Smart viscoelastic structures are defined here to be those class of structures containing both piezoceramic sensors and actuators as well as constrained layer viscoelastic treatments. Such devices have received recent attention in the literature as having excellent vibration suppression qualities. However, the modeling of viscoelastic elements is not particularly straightforward, leading to difficulties in design predictions for the active constrained layer damping treatments. The work presented here discusses pole-zero modeling results for various configurations of embedded and surface-mounted piezoceramic/viscoelastic layers in laminated beams. The specific arrangement of fiberglass, piezoceramic, and viscoelastic materials are examined in the context of pole-zero modeling approaches for smart viscoelastic structures. In this paper, the pole-zero models of each composite beam configuration lend insight into the preferred design strategy when blending passive elements (constrained layer viscoelastic) with active elements (piezoceramic sensors and actuators) to perform vibration suppression.