Nonlinear Piezo-Hygro-Thermo-Elastic Behavior of Piezolaminated Composite Shells using Finite Element Method

In the present investigation, the nonlinear piezo-hygro-thermo-elastic behavior of piezolaminated shell is numerically simulated using finite element method. The hygrothermal residual stresses due to the change in environmental condition induce instability in the composite shell structures. The single or multi layer piezoelectric actuators are integrated to the substrate structure to enhance the structural performance. The piezoelectric layers are attached to the top (convex) and bottom (concave) surface of the shell. One of the electrode is connected to the positive voltage and the other electrode is connected to the Earth. The geometrically nonlinear finite element formulations are derived for piezo-hygro-thermo-elastic composite shells using the virtual work principle. Either shallow or deep shell surface of a doubly curves spherical shell is modeled in the present analysis. The mechanical linear and nonlinear stiffnesses and the piezo-hygro-thermo-elastic nonlinear geometric stiffnesses are responsible for the nonlinear phenomena under the mechanical, electrical and hygrothermal loading conditions are discussed. To verify the present formulations and finite element code (C++). the present results are compared well with those available in the open literature. The nonlinear bending behavior of piezolaminated cylindrical shells is presented under hygrothermal and electrical loads.