Theoretical analysis of a multi-layered thin shell coupled with piezoelectric shell actuators for distributed vibration controls

Abstract Structural dynamics and controls of distributed mechanical systems have drawn much attention in recent years. In this paper, a multi-layered thin shell coupled with an active distributed vibration actuator—polymeric piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)— is proposed and evaluated. Dynamic equations for the generalized multi-layered thin shell coupled with the polymeric piezoelectrets are derived based on Love's theory and Hamilton's principle. Each layer of the shell can be a polymeric piezoelectric control layer subjected to feedback voltages resulting in a local control force to suppress the vibration of the shell. To demonstrate the derived equations, a cantilever beam coupled with the polymeric piezoelectric actuator is derived by directly simplifying the modified Love's equations. An experimental model was also built and tested in laboratory to validate the results.