Node-dependent kinematic elements for the dynamic analysis of beams with piezo-patches

This article extends the use of one-dimensional elements with node-dependent kinematics to the dynamic analysis of beam structures with piezo-patches. Node-dependent kinematics allows the kinematic assumptions to be defined individually on each finite element node, leading to finite element models with variable nodal kinematics. Derived from Carrera unified formulation, node-dependent kinematics facilitates the mathematical refinement to an arbitrary order at any desirable region on the nodal level while keeping the compactness of the formulation. As an ideal approach to simulate structures with special local features, node-dependent kinematics has been employed to model piezo-patches in static cases. In this work, the application of node-dependent beam elements in dynamic problems is demonstrated. Node-dependent kinematics is applied to increase the numerical accuracy in the areas where the piezo-patches lie in through sufficiently refined models, while lower order assumptions are used elsewhere. The dissimilar constitutive relations of neighboring components are appropriately considered with layer-wise models. Both open- and short-circuit conditions are considered. The results are compared against those from literature. The numerical study shows that the adoption of node-dependent kinematics allows accurate results to be obtained at reduced computational costs.