Finite element analysis of smart structures

Materials systems and structures which can respond in an “intelligent” fashion to their environment are currently being proposed and investigated. Two such materials which can serve as actuators in smart structures are shape memory alloys (SMA) and piezoceramics. A series of finite element analyses was performed to investigate the response of such material systems on two different structural configurations. A change in buckling load of a stiffened aluminum panel was predicted by finite element analysis with embedded, activated SMA wires. A three-dimensional analysis of the activation of a piezoceramic patch on a plastic plate was also performed. Verification of the latter example was provided by moire interferometric experiments.