Determining the optimal locations of piezoelectric transducers for vibroacoustic control of structures with general boundary conditions

Vibroacoustic control of thin beam, plate and panelled structures with arbitrary boundary conditions is investigated. The study focuses on determining optimal locations of piezoelectric sensors and actuators on the surfaces of structures under vibroacoustic control. The work consists of three parts. In the first part, the undertaken assumptions and some governing equations are briefly introduced. Then, in the second part of the study, the piezo-transducers' locations which ensure optimal sensing/actuating capabilities for specific vibration modes are determined, basing on the derived analytical formulas and on some results of numerical simulations, as well as on the actuator/sensor equations given in the first part of the study. The relevant modes are selected by taking into account that the main purpose is to minimise the acoustic field generated by the vibrating structure. The third part of the work discusses some experimental investigations aimed for the verification of the results obtained theoretically. Some technical aspects of creating the composite structures for active control systems are briefly described in appendix.