Piezoelectric energy harvesting from nonlinear dynamics of functionally graded plate under multi-moving loads and masses

In this study, energy harvesting from nonlinear vibrations of a functionally graded plate with bonded piezoelectric patch under moving loads and moving masses is investigated. The coupled nonlinear system of equations are derived using the generalized Hamilton's principle considering both the geometrical nonlinearity and the nonlinear electromechanical coupling. Then, the equations are solved using finite element method and Newmark time integration scheme. For a case study, the effects of different parameters such as piezoelectric patch thickness, location of piezoelectric patch, different boundary conditions, and different width of plate on harvested power and the plate's nonlinear vibration are investigated. This article is motivated by the lack of published studies on nonlinear distributed piezoelectric energy harvesters under moving loads (masses).