A Model for the Analysis of Beams with

Embedded Piezoelectric Layers

Q. Wang
S. T. Quek
Department of Civil Engineering, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge
Crescent, Singapore 119260
Abstract
This paper provides a basic mechanics model for the flexural analysis of beams with embedded
piezoelectric layers. The Euler model for a long and thin beam is employed and two different ways of
connecting the electrodes on the surfaces of the piezoelectric layers, namely, closed circuit (Case I)
and open circuit (Case II) are considered. The distribution of the piezoelectric potential in the
longitudinal direction is derived by including Maxwell equation in the formulation and assuming a half-
cosine distribution for the potential in the thickness direction of the piezoelectric layer for Case I. The
validity of this assumption is investigated first theoretically and then numerically by FEM for a pure
piezoelectric beam subjected to uniform moment. A semi-analytical analysis is carried out for Case II
where an electric potential function is assumed. The resonant frequencies of the structure for the
models presented are first validated by the FEM software, ABAQUS, for simply-supported and propped
cantilever boundary conditions. Based on the results of vibration analysis, it is shown that the dynamic
characteristics of the entire structure can be significantly affected by piezoelectric effects, especially
for the open circuit case. More importantly, the mode shapes of the electric potential in the piezoelectric
layer are different for Cases I and II. For the closed circuit case, the potential shape function is related
to the transverse displacement, or more accurately the curvature of the beam. For the open circuit
case, the potentials at the boundaries in the longitudinal direction are directly related to the slope of
the deflection of the beam. Hence, the commonly adopted assumption of uniform electric potential
needs to be carefully re-examined.