Shape control of plates using piezoceramic elements

We use the first-order shear deformation theory to study quasistatic deformations of a plate with piezoceramic elements (PZTs) mounted symmetrically on its top and bottom surfaces. The Galerkin formulation of the problem is derived. After having validated the computer code, the voltage to be applied to the PZTs in order to nullify the deflection of preassigned points of a plate deformed quasistatically is determined. It is shown that the deflections of the centerline of a simply supported plate and the tip deflection of a cantilever plate can be controlled by applying suitable voltages to the PZTs. The voltage to be applied to the actuators as a function of the surface area covered by them in the former case, and as a function of their distance from the fixed end for the latter case is depicted graphically.