Application of design optimization techniques for vibration control of structures using piezoelectric devices

Active vibration control of structures using piezoelectric materials is a new approach for damping unwanted vibrations in structures lacking sufficient stiffness or passive damping. The finite elements method is used to model active damping elements which are piezoelectric actuators bonded to a box beam. Efficient implementation of these actuators requires that their optimal locations on the structure be determined and that the structure be designed to best utilize the properties of the piezoelectrics. A formal optimization procedure has been developed to address both of these issues. Multiobjective optimization techniques are used to minimize multiple and conflicting design objectives such as mass and energy dissipated by the piezoelectric actuators.