Optimum design and vibration suppression of large flexible smart structures

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Due to the high cost of transportation, most practical structures are typically light weight and flexible.  Thus they can be excited near their lower natural frequencies due to varying external disturbances which may be different than those considered in the design stage. This may subsequently lead to the structural instability or a drastic reduction in accuracy and precision of operation. To alleviate these problems, the smart structure technology is becoming increasingly important in many aerospace, civil and automotive applications. Smart structure is a self-adaptive structure made up of a host structure which is integrated with discrete sensors and actuators and directed by a controller capable of modifying the dynamic response of the structure in the presence of time-varying environmental and operational conditions.  The design and development of smart structures for shape and vibration control in practical applications is the long term objective of this proposal. It is intended to establish a platform to develop innovative methodologies in this field and foster the spread of this new technology in Canada. To move along this goal efficiently, the following first-priority problems will be studied: I- Design optimization and development of piezoelectric linear actuator with high resolution and dynamic actuation force, II- Design optimization and active vibration control of smart truss structures using piezoelectric linear actuators; III- Design optimization and active vibration control of piezolaminated composite structures; IV-Design optimization and semi-active vibration suppression of discrete structures using Magneto-Rheological (MR) dampers. In these problems, the synergistic effects of coupling between interacting disciplines will be explored and the mathematical formulation considering the coupling effect will be developed.  Then, efficient and innovative analysis and design optimization techniques based on the mathematical foundation will be formulated to find desired configuration and to suppress the vibration under a wide range of excitations. Fundamental experimental study will be conducted where the proof-of-concept test smart structures will be produced and the performance of these test structures will be evaluated.