COUPLED DISCRETE-LAYER FINITE-ELEMENTS FOR LAMINATED PIEZOELECTRIC PLATES

Finite element models based on discrete-layer theories are presented for the coupled-field analysis of laminated plates containing piezoelectric layers. The three displacements and the electrostatic potential are treated as unknowns in this formulation, which allows for piece-wise approximations of the variables through the thickness of each layer. Two specific models are demonstrated in which the transverse displacement is either variable or constant, and the in-plane displacements and potential take piece-wise linear approximations through the thickness. The models are applied to example problems with applied surface tractions and specified surface potentials. Good agreement is found with exact solutions.