Adaptive Shape Control of Composite Beams with Piezoelectric Actuators

This paper deals with adaptive shape control of laminated composite beams with integrated piezoelectric actuators. The mathematical model is based on a higher order shear deformation theory and accounts for lateral strains. A constrained optimization algorithm has been implemented to calculate the optimal open loop actuator voltages which minimize the error function. A closed loop feedback system is developed to maintain the desired shape even in the presence of quasistatically varying unknown loads. A computationally efficient finite element code is developed for performing the numerical calculations. The effect of stacking sequence and boundary conditions on the actuator voltages for both open loop and closed loop systems is examined. It is observed that the adapted shape achieved by using a full sensor feedback and partial sensor feedback are nearly the same. Thus position sensors at all locations are not required for closed loop shape control.