A robust design methodology for structural control using piezoelectric materials

Piezoelectric materials are modelled using finite element method. Steady thermal effects are included in the model. The model is used in piezoelectric control of flexible structures. The robustness of a piezoelectric control system consisting of a master structure and a pair of piezoelectric actuators is considered by the use of Taguchi methodology. The effects of the location, thickness and width of the actuators are investigated on the control performance of the system subjected to mechanical and steady thermal disturbances. Based on the numerical results it is concluded that the width of the actuators has the most profound effect on the control performance.