On the Optimal Location of Several Peizoelectric Elements on the Structure Surface

In this paper, based on the solution of the natural vibration problem an approach for determining the best options for the arrangement of piezoelectric elements on the surface of a structure allowing an essential improvement of its dynamic characteristics is proposed. The condition for a maximum value of the generalized electromechanical coupling coefficient, which characterizes the fraction of the converted mechanical energy of vibrations into the electrical energy, is adopted as an optimality criterion. The performance of the proposed approach is demonstrated by solving an example problem of locating two piezoelectric elements on the surface of a spatial structure providing damping of its vibrations at the selected frequencies. The obtained results are substantiated by the frequency response plots of the electric potential, obtained for different options of placement of piezoelectric elements on the surface of a structure under forced steady-state vibrations.