High precision shape control of plates using orthotropic piezoelectric actuators

This paper presents high precision control for the specified plate twisting and bending shapes using the orthotropic piezoelectric actuators. Finite element analysis for composite plates with the adhesively bonded piezoelectric stiffeners is derived and verified with the finite element analysis for composite plates with the adhesively bonded piezoelectric patches and the commercial package NASTRAN. This finite element analysis is then used to simulate plate twisting and bending shape control using the orthotropic piezoelectric actuators through the electric potential optimization. The electric potentials needed for the desired plate shapes are obtained using the linear least square method. The numerical results show that the computed plate twisting and bending shapes correlate remarkably well with the relevant desired ones. Mechanisms of the precise shape control are discussed.