Active shape control of a double-plate structures using piezoceramics and SMA wires

Abstract

A method for the shape control of double-plate structures is presented. The model consists of three plates and many ribs. Two of the plates are placed parallel to each other and clamped at one edge. The third plate connects the edges of the parallel plates that are opposite the fixed edge. Each rib is made of shape memory alloy (SMA) wire and connected to the parallel plates. Each rib generates a concentrated force and applies it to the plates in perpendicular and oblique directions. Piezoceramic patches are bonded onto the plates and exert concentrated moments upon the plates at several locations. The object of this research is to generate various structural shapes by combining the concentrated forces from the SMA wires and moments from the piezoceramic patches. The possibility of shape control is examined by finite element analysis. Numerical results show the capability of shape control by SMA wires and piezoceramics in the elastic range. Experimental results on shape control are presented to compare with the numerical results.