A FEM model for the active control of curved FGM shells using piezoelectric sensor/actuator layers

In this paper, a generic finite element formulation is developed for the static and dynamic control of FGM (functionally graded material) shells with piezoelectric sensor and actuator layers. The properties of the FGM shell are graded in the thickness direction according to a volume fraction power-law distribution. The proposed finite element model is based on variational principle and linear piezoelectricity theory. A constant displacement and velocity feedback control algorithm coupling the direct and inverse piezoelectric effects is applied in a closed-loop system to provide feedback control of the integrated FGM shell structure. Both static and dynamic control of FGM shells are simulated to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed active control scheme within a framework of finite element discretization and piezoelectric integration. Copyright (C) 2002 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.