Theoretical study on shape control of thin cross-ply laminates using piezoelectric actuators

Abstract This paper investigates the application of a piezoelectric actuator to control deformation of thin unsymmetric cross-ply composite laminates. A theoretical model based on Rayleigh–Ritz principle is developed to predict laminate deformation and the effect of the piezoelectric actuator layer. Several stacking sequences are studied using the model. It is found that two stable shapes still exist for laminates with larger dimensions but the two shapes are not symmetric as in traditional cross-ply laminates. The bifurcation dimension increases when the thickness of piezoelectric layer increases. Laminate curvatures are in a perfectly linear relationship with an electric field applied to the piezoelectric actuator layer. Snap-through from one stable shape to the other can occur by applying an electric field. FEA results match model prediction fairly well. This model can be used as a guide to design piezocomposite laminates.