On Bending of Piezoceramic Multilayer Plates

Piezoceramic double (or multiple) strip elements for contact actuation are used in many electromechanical devices. The behavior of such multilayer piezoceramic plate elements subjected to uniform electric field is investigated using the finite element technique. Specifically, the effects of various transverse constraints to the plate which result in improved response are considered. The results of the analysis are found to be in excellent agreement with the experimental findings.