Optimum vibration control of CFRP sandwich beam using electro-rheological fluids and piezoceramic actuators

In the present study, the vibration control of a hybrid smart composite beam actuated by both electro-rheological fluids (ERFs) and piezoceramic actuators is investigated. A carbon fiber reinforced plastics beam, including interleaved ERF and bonded piezoceramics, is prepared and tested under sinusoidal external excitations. Four kinds of feedback control strategies for both ERF and piezoceramic actuators are adopted in order to suppress the deflection at the free end of the cantilevered composite beam. The optimum combination of these control strategies for two types of actuators is discussed when the two actuators operate simultaneously.