Piezoceramic sensors and actuators for smart composite structures

Composite materials with embedded sensors and actuators and simple vibration control are examined. A part made from a composite can have sensors and actuators embedded in it during the manufacturing process to form what is known as a `smart´ structure. A typical smart structure and associated control hardware may actively damp out vibration, assess the health of the structure, and to a limited extent perform shape control. Sensors and actuators may also be incorporated into a complex truss structure by replacing select internal load bearing members with smart members. The option of active vibration and shape control became feasible along with in situ health monitoring. One very promising material for both sensors and actuators is PZT. The associated electronics are relatively simple and the sensing and actuating characteristics are very good. The implementation and results of two simple methods of vibrational control on composites with embedded PZT are presented