A Viscoelastic Sandwich Finite Element Model for the Analysis of Passive, Active and Hybrid Structures

In this paper we present a finite element model for the analysis of active sandwich laminated plates with a viscoelastic core and laminated anisotropic face layers, as well as piezoelectric sensor and actuator layers. The model is formulated using a mixed layerwise approach, by considering a higher order shear deformation theory (HSDT) to represent the displacement field of the viscoelastic core and a first order shear deformation theory (FSDT) for the displacement field of the adjacent laminated anisotropic face layers and exterior piezoelectric layers. The dynamic problem is solved in the frequency domain with viscoelastic frequency dependent material properties for the core. Control laws are also implemented for the piezoelectric sensors and actuators. The model behaviour in dynamics is assessed with the few solutions found in the literature, including experimental data, and a laminated composite active sandwich application is proposed. In this numerical application, velocity feedback control law is implemented for active control, using co-located piezoelectric patch sensors and actuators.