Optimal Control of Laminated Shells Using Piezoelectric Sensor and Actuator Layers

A simple method for optimal control of vibrations of simply supported thin laminated shells integrated with piezoelectric layers is presented. The piezoelectric layers act as the distributed sensors and actuators. Coupled electromechanical governing equations of motion are derived using Hamilton's variational principle. The algorithm for a linear quadratic regulator with output feedback has been employed to formulate the optimal control problem. Controlled responses for various design parameters are illustrated, and a study of the effect of variation of the central angle subtended by the shell on the performance of the actuator is presented.