Electro-mechanical analysis of composite and sandwich multilayered structures by shell elements with node-dependent kinematics

Abstract

In this work, a new class of finite elements for the analysis of composite and sandwich shells embedding piezoelectric skins and patches is proposed. The main idea of models coupling is developed by presenting the concept of nodal dependent kinematics where the same finite element can present at each node a different approximation of the main unknowns by setting a nodewise through-the-thickness approximation base. In a global/local approach scenario, the computational costs can be reduced drastically by assuming refined theories only in those zones/nodes of the structural domain where the resulting strain and stress states, and their electro-mechanical coupling present a complex distribution. Several numerical investigations are carried out to validate the accuracy and efficiency of the present shell element. An accurate representation of mechanical stresses and electric displacements in localized zones is possible with reduction of the computational costs if an accurate distribution of the higherorder kinematic capabilities is performed. On the contrary, the accuracy of the solution in terms of mechanical displacements and electric potential values depends on the global approximation over the whole structure. The efficacy of the present node-dependent variable kinematic models, thus, depends on the characteristics of the problem under consideration as well as on the required analysis type. ARTICLE HISTORY

Study on Transient Contact-Impact Characteristics and Driving Capability of Piezoelectric Stack Actuator

“…The parameters including k c , c s , and c c are identified by comparing the experimental data with the solution of the differential Equation (12). In order to solve Equation (12), the fourth-order Runge-Kutta numerical integration method is implemented.…”

“…A series of dynamic models and methods for the impact actuator were also developed. Carrera et al [12,13] used the finite element method to analyze the electro-mechanical properties of multilayered piezoelectric structures based on the classical equivalent singlelayer (ESL) model and advanced layer-wise (LW) model. The solutions of ESL, LW, and mixed ESL/LW models are compared.…”

Finite Element Modellingand Simulations of Piezoelectric Actuators Responses with Uncertainty Quantification

“…In a finite element model, the continuum domain is divided into a finite number of non-overlapping elements of simple geometrical shapes where the unknowns are calculated and stored at the nodes of elements. The displacement field {u} and the electric potential {ϕ} over the element can be defined in terms of the nodal displacements {u i } and the nodal electric potentials {ϕ i } using corresponding shape functions defined as [N u ] and [N ϕ ], as in Equations (10) and (11), respectively.…”

“…For three-dimensional analysis, the finite element method has been a popular choice for modeling and simulations of piezoelectric material responses. Since the pioneering work of [8] on the application of the finite element method for piezoelectric materials, there have been numerous development of FEM tools to model piezoelectric structures ranging from solid three-dimensional elements to one-and two-dimensional elements such as beam, shell, and plates; including recent work on developing linear and quadratic shell elements [9,10]. In [11], a comprehensive review of the development of FEM was presented, classifying the number of different approaches based on element types, as well as the number of degrees of freedom.…”

Smart structures, materials and nano technology in engineering

“…The present IJSNM special issue spans volume 9's issue 1 [1][2][3][4] and issue 2 [5][6][7][8]; it contains 8 papers [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] that were extended and revised (some of them twice) according to 3 anonymous and independent peer reviewers' reports. They were spontaneously submitted following an open call to the participants of the joint 8th SMART and 6th SMN held in Madrid (Spain) from 5 to 8 June 2017.…”