Title :
Optimal design of piezocomposite materials using topology optimization techniques and homogenization theory
Author :
Silva, E. C N ; Fonseca, J.S.O. ; de Espinosa, F.R.M. ; Crumm, A. ; Brady, G.A. ; Halloran, J.W. ; Kikuchi, Naoya
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Mech. Eng. & Appl. Mech., Michigan Univ., Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Abstract :
Piezocomposite materials require an improvement in their performance characteristics for hydrophone and ultrasonic transducer applications. We have proposed in this work a method that combines topology optimization techniques and homogenization theory for designing new topologies of piezocomposite unit cells with better performance. It consists of finding the distribution of material and void (or gas) phases in a periodic unit cell that optimizes piezocomposite electromechanical-efficiency. In order to calculate the effective properties of a unit cell with complex topology, a general homogenization method applied to piezoelectricity was implemented using the finite element method. The microstructures obtained show a large performance improvement compared to usual designs of piezocomposite unit cells
Keywords :
composite materials; optimisation; piezoceramics; topology; complex topology; effective properties; finite element method; general homogenization method; homogenization theory; hydrophone applications; microstructures; optimal design; performance characteristics; periodic unit cell; piezocomposite electromechanical-efficiency; piezocomposite materials; piezocomposite unit cells; topology optimization techniques; ultrasonic transducer applications; void; Design optimization; Electric potential; Finite element methods; Microstructure; Piezoelectric materials; Piezoelectricity; Polymers; Shape; Sonar equipment; Topology;
Conference_Titel :
Ultrasonics Symposium, 1997. Proceedings., 1997 IEEE
Conference_Location :
Toronto, Ont.
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-4153-8
DOI :
10.1109/ULTSYM.1997.661722
