Design of a smart functionally graded thermopiezoelectric composite structure

In this paper, a smart functionally graded piezoelectric structure is analyzed. The smart structure consists of three layers: one layer of metal, one layer of piezoelectric material (PZT) used as an actuator, and a graded metal/PZT layer between the metal layer and the PZT layer. A finite element code is developed in the programming environment MATLAB and FORTRAN, with each finite element having varied material properties through space coordinates. The results reveal that both the stress discontinuity and thermal deformation of the structure can be controlled. By introducing a functionally graded layer between the PZT actuator layer and the metal beam layer, both stress discontinuity and the edge local stresses can be essentially reduced. The proposed method is expected to be useful for functionally graded thermopiezoelectric composite structures under operating environments where the thermal and piezoelectic effects are important.