The modeling of piezoelectrically excited waves in beams and layered substructures

Two mathematical models for numerical simulation of traveling waves excited in an elastic waveguide by a pair of piezoceramic actuators are considered. The first model uses a simplified approach by Bernoulli–Euler beam theory and a simple actuation model. The second approach involves a boundary-value problem for an elastic layer with flexible piezoceramic strips bonded ideally to its surface. The limits of the applicability of the simplified beam model are then estimated by a comparison of the results both of the beam model and the solution of the patch-layer contact problem. Numerical results illustrate the effect of the actuators properties and position on the wave characteristics.