MODAL VOLTAGES OF LINEAR AND NON-LINEAR STRUCTURES USING DISTRIBUTED ARTIFICIAL NEURONS

Conventional sensors used for structural measurement are usually discrete-type add-on devices. Lightweight distributed neurons fully integrated (laminated or embedded) with structural components can serve as in situ sensors monitoring structureʹs dynamic state and health status. Thin-film lightweight piezoelectric patches are perfect candidates for distributed neuron applications. This paper is to present the fundamental theory of generic distributed shell neurons and to demonstrate the lightweight distributed neuron concept, with analytical and experimental procedures, on an Euler–Bernoulli beam. Fundamental sensor electromechanics of generic piezoelectric shell neurons is introduced first, followed by definitions of neural signals generated by an arbitrary neuron coupled with a non-linear double-curvature elastic shell. This generic neuron theory can be applied to a large class of linear and non-linear common geometries, e.g. spheres, cylindrical shells, plates, etc. To demonstrate the neuron concept, an Euler–Bernoulli beam laminated with segmented neurons is studied. Neural signals and modal voltages are presented. Theoretical results are compared with experimental data favourably.