Design optimization of piezoelectric actuator patterns for static shape control of smart plates

This paper presents an investigation into design optimization of actuator patterns for static shape control of composite plates with piezoelectric actuator patches. An energy optimization based method for finding the optimal control voltages that can actuate a structure shape close to the desired one within a given error is described. Moreover, a voltage limitation for each actuator is also imposed to keep its control voltage within a practical range. An evolutionary actuator pattern optimization scheme is presented in which trivial actuators with the smallest voltages are electrically or physically removed step by step until the given tolerable error is reached. Finally, illustrative examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the present equivalent element and the design optimization scheme. Numerical results show that satisfactory static shape control can be achieved even after a number of actuators are removed.