title: Analytical solutions for the transverse deflection of a piezoelectric circular axisymmetric unimorph actuator.
abstract: This paper presents analytical solutions to the transverse deformation shape of a circular axisymmetric piezoelectric-metal composite unimorph actuator. The solutions account for both the influence of an applied electric field and a concentrated or uniformly distributed mechanical load. Using piezoelectric constitutive equations, combined with thin plate and small bending elastic theory, the generalized equation of motion for bending of thin piezoelectric-metal composite plates has been derived. Our approach predicts that there is an optimum thickness ratio between the piezoelectric and metal plates, which leads to a maximum combination of deflection and load carrying capabilities. Derived formulas are very simple that offer a quick method for engineering design and optimization of a circular unimorph piezoelectric actuator.
authors.affiliation: Materials Science and Engineering Department, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA. sdong@vt.edu
authors.forename: Shuxiang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uchino
authors.forename: Longtu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Dwight
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Viehland
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004735:Energy Transfer; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009038:Motion; D014159:Transducers