Simulation and Control of Smart Strutures in Multibody Systems

This paper presents a methodology for the simulation of smart structures with piezoceramic patches by means of multibody dynamics. A theoretical background is mentioned adapting a modal multifield approach. Then a methodology for the control design is proposed. The methodology includes the optimisation of actuator placement, which is based on a modal representation of the elasticity. An application example illustrates the implemented process chain. This procedure constitutes a complex development environment for the simulation, optimisation and control design of elastic structures with active materials.