Large deformation finite element analyses of composite structures integrated with piezoelectric sensors and actuators

Nonlinear dynamic responses of structures integrated with piezoelectric materials are studied. Finite element formulations are derived on the basis of the updated Lagrangian formulation and the principle of virtual work. Twenty-node solid elements including electrical degrees of freedom are developed to analyze structures with piezoelectric sensors and actuators and multipoint constraints for electrical degrees of freedom are utilized to simulate electrodes. A limited number of numerical examples are presented in order to verify the accuracy and convergence of the present formulation and to demonstrate its usefulness for and applicability to solutions of large deformation dynamic responses of piezoelectric structures. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.