Green׳s function method for piezoelectric energy harvesting beams

Abstract The development of validated mathematical models for piezoelectric harvesters is important as it provides predictive capabilities of their performance and insight to their coupled electromechanical behavior. Advanced solutions to these models allows for more realistic parameters to be considered. In this paper, we present a Fourier Transform–Green׳s Function (FTGF) solution approach to the distributed parameter coupled electromechanical equations for a piezoelectric beam excited by an arbitrary external transverse force. This method, as opposed to modal analysis, allows for frequency-dependent material properties and damping coefficients to be considered. The special case of a harmonic base excitation is considered and closed-form expressions for the frequency response functions of the voltage generated by piezoelectric layer, relative tip displacement and local bending strain are obtained. Finally, the FTGF solution to these frequency response functions is compared with the modal analysis solution along with experimental data for validation.

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