Keywords: b-spline strip method, piezoelectric materials, simulated annealing, third-order plate theory.

In this work, recent developments on the use of the general spline finite strip method in the analysis and optimal design of laminated structures with embedded and/or surface bonded piezoelectric actuators and sensors are presented. The finite strip models are developed using the third-order plate theory of Lo et al. [1], and Reddy [2]. They are applied to the static and free vibration analyses of laminated adaptive structures with arbitrary lay-ups, loading and boundary conditions. As a special case of the third-order plate theory the simpler and computational efficient strip finite element model based on the first-order shear deformation theory is obtained.

These models are combined with a stochastic global optimization technique called "simulated annealing" [3] to improve the performance of the composite adaptive structures subjected to a variety of objective functions and/or constraints and with discrete and continuous design variables.

The capabilities of these models are illustrated by two examples of simple adaptive structures.

1

Lo K.H., Christensen R.M., Wu E.M. A high-order theory of plate deformationPart II: Laminated plates. Journal of Applied Mechanics 1977; 669-676.

2

Reddy J.N. A simple high order theory for laminated composite plates. Journal of Applied Mechanics 1984, 51: 745-752.

3

Hajela P. Stochastic search in discrete structural optimisation. Lecture notes on Discrete Structural Optimisation. Advanced School coordinated by W. Gutkowski. International Centre for Mechanical Sciences, Udine, Italy, 1996.

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