Piezoelectrically induced nonlinear resonances for dynamic morphing of lightweight panels

A rich variety of resonance scenarios induced in thin elastic plates by periodic axial strains is investigated to describe the morphing capability of flexible, ultra-lightweight panels. The strain-induced excitation is provided by embedded piezoelectric strips actuated by time-varying voltages. The study deals with plates characterized by geometric and mechanical symmetry entailing cylindrical motions so that an ad hoc approximate nonlinear model of elastic beams is adopted to formulate the incremental equation of motion about the nonlinear equilibrium under dead loads. An asymptotic approach based on the method of multiple scales is employed to study the plate dynamics and, primarily, to investigate the effect of the plate slenderness on the nonlinearity of the lowest normal modes. A bifurcation analysis is carried out to investigate the wide array of resonances induced by the harmonic axial excitation, acting in nontrivial equilibrium states, which include primary, super-harmonic, sub-harmonic, and principal parametric resonances, respectively. For selected slendernesses of the plate, corresponding to nonlinear softening, hardening and quasi-linear behaviors, respectively, comprehensive parametric studies on the effect of the PZT cross-sectional size, the plate damping, and the piezoelectric coupling coefficient are carried out to identify the threshold voltages triggering the different resonances.