Effectiveness of Discrete Piezo-patch Locations in Clamped-simply Supported Plates

Abstract

Present study investigates the problem of determining the control effectiveness of piezoelectric patches for controlling vibration in higher modes of clamped-simply supported plates. A modal analysis approach is used to identify high average strain (or curvature) locations, as desired patch locations and represented in the form of geometrical parameters. The 9-patch configuration is used and modal analysis of integrated structure is carried out, which clearly shows that the initial patch configuration yields better effectiveness for square plates. In case of rectangular plates, the above strategy provides mixed results for the patch distribution effectiveness, for the modes considered here. Next, a concept of ‘stretching’ the patch distribution is applied for improving the effectiveness of the patch distribution and a Fig. of Merit (FOM), based on modal strains, is defined for quantifying the effectiveness. The results show that particular patch distribution geometry is suitable only for a specific group of modes. In view of this, a combined Fig. of Merit, based on the concept of modal weights, is also introduced, which has the potential to help in determining a suitable patch distribution through a formal optimization methodology. The control effectiveness comparison study of the initial and stretched patch configuration of plates also supports the quantification of control effectiveness of patch configuration through the FOM.