Shape Memory Alloy combined with piezoelectric materials applied for structure vibration control

A new configuration of smart structures which could be automatically adjusted according to changes of forcing frequencies is proposed for vibration suppression. The new configuration is a laminated beam-plate or wide beam composed of layers of piezoelectric sensors and actuators and Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) wires embedded in the middle plane of the laminated structure. The structural natural frequencies can be adjusted closely to the forcing frequencies by adjusting electric heating for controlling temperature of SMA. In each layer, the piezoelectric sensors and actuators whose electrode are trimmed to modal shapes in conjunction with proper control algorithm, to achieve expected control effects. The sensors and actuators are connected with each other if they have the same shapes and they are linked together by a controller to form a close loop feedback control. Using active control algorithm to control behavior of the piezoelectric material can suppress the structural vibration. Theoretical simulations are formulated and performed without physical experimentation for evaluating its feasibility. The Hamilton's principle is used to derive the governing equation and boundary conditions for the structure which is composed of PVDF and SMA materials. Modal analysis is used to obtain the result of dynamical response.