Optimal design of graphene-reinforced composites using shunted piezoelectric systems for optimal vibration attenuation

Abstract

. Smart structures exploit the synergy between several coupled physical phenomena to produce materials and structures with enhanced properties. Such structures incorporate integrated sensors and actuators, mechanical and electronic components and control. The design of smart structures is a multidisciplinary challenge, which is of high importance for viability and resilience of industry. Usage of piezocomposites with integrated nonlinear shunted circuits for vibration suppression improves effectiveness and accuracy of many high-value products. The finite element method is widely used to simulate the mechanical response of composite materials and multi-physics problems. In this work a numerical investigation is conducted on small scale beams aiming to improve their vibration response by applying piezoelectric shunted circuits. Finite element models are developed in MATLAB, simulating graphene-reinforced nanocomposite piezoelectric beams with shunted circuits under vibration excitations. Piezoelectric materials are applied to the beams to allow for the interaction between electric charge and mechanical deformation. In addition, shunted circuits, which are paired with piezoelectric elements, are used to provide damping (vibration suppression) of one or more critical eigenfrequencies. To derive the optimal vibration response, a particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is adopted. Optimization is then aimed to minimize the vibration amplitude as well as optimize the mechanical and electrical parameters of the investigated system.

Full Paper