Piezoelectric Modal Sensor/Actuator Design for Monitoring/Generating Flexural and Torsional Vibrations of Cylindrical Shells

Abstract

This paper presents a methodology for designing piezoelectric sensors/actuators in an application to monitor/generate flexural and torsional vibrations of cylindrical shells. Based upon the classical laminate theory the equations of the electro-mechanical interactions, the constitutive, and the strain-displacement relations of piezoelectric composite cylindrical shells are derived. With these relations the piezoelectric sensor and actuator equations of the cylindrical shell are then developed. The modal sensors/actuators fabricated with PVDF embedded in the composite cylindrical shell capable of monitoring and generating vibrations of a particular mode or several combined modes are also developed. Finally, an experimental rig is designed to generate both the flexural and torsional vibrations of a circular cylindrical shaft for examining the capabilities of the modal sensors.