Smart Structures: Analysis and Design

A V Srinivasan and D Michael McFarland have written a valuable book on design and analysis of smart structures. The book summarizes the operating principles of materials whose properties can be varied by changing an external parameter. The materials reviewed in this book are: Piezoelectric Materials, Shape Memory Alloys and Electrorheological and Magnetorheological Fluids. It also discusses fibre optics and biomimetics. In addition, it provides constitutive equations that describe the behaviour. As the authors describe the materials, they also describe, with examples, how these properties can be used to design, build and analyse smart structures, i.e. structures that function as desired. The book begins with a differentiation between material properties and smart structures and highlights the fact that `smartness' cannot be attributed to the material - it's the structures made from materials and embedded with controls that are smart. The book describes the use of piezoelectric properties in the development of inchworm motors and actuation of structural components. It next discusses shape memory alloys, their mechanism of transformation and describes the constitutive equations that explain the shape memory effect. The experiments that enable design for vibration control of rods and structures are then discussed. Next the composition, behaviour, models, applications (clutches and dampers) and effect of device geometry when using electrorheological and magnetorheological fluids are discussed. Complete chapters are dedicated to the design of vibration reduction devices and mistuned structures and control issues that are relevant to the subject. The authors have also described the use of fibre optics, biomimetics, fibre-reinforced structures and their applications in the sensing arena. The book addresses an important theme. Most of the examples reported in the book are based on the authors' past work. The scale of the structures described in the examples ranges from the micro domain to the macro domain. The book does not flow very well, probably because the variables in equations are poorly defined and in many instances equations are introduced without much background. The units used in the book are not consistent, perhaps a reflection of the 30 year span from which the resources are drawn. The effect of size and scaling of structures is not discussed in detail. The book is a useful source of constitutive equations for a practising engineer. In its current edition, it would be good reference book for a student who has studied these materials for at least a semester. Shekhar Bhansali