Dynamic and static modelling of piezoelectric composite structures using a thermal analogy with MSC/NASTRAN

As a first step towards the development of simplified integrated computational tools for the dynamic and static modelling of smart structures, this work validates both theoretically and experimentally the implementation of a multilayered three-dimensional model based on the analogy between thermal strains and piezoelectric strains under MSC/NASTRAN. To assess the piezoelectric–thermal analogy for different loading conditions, the numerical results obtained from this model are first compared to the results obtained from a finite element reference model based on a three-dimensional piezoelectric formulation. An experimental assessment is also conducted on a clamped AS4/3501-6 carbon/epoxy composite beam structure excited in the vicinity of the clamped end using an embedded piezoelectric actuator. Results obtained from the dynamic response of the structure show that the properties of the insulating layer appear to have an important effect and thus demonstrate the need for their modelling. In the last part of the paper, as a tool for further development of the computational tools for smart structures, the piezoelectric–thermal analogy model is used with a large number of three-dimensional elements to describe the complexity of the strain and stress fields in the vicinity of the active region.