Intelligent composite structures: General theory and application

Basic aspects of a newly suggested theory of intelligent composite structures are formulated and discussed. Governing equations describing the behavior of an elastic composite structure incorporating sensors and actuators are developed, and the basic optimization problems are formulated. The theory is illustrated by three examples of a practical interest, which illustrate three major sources of control for an intelligent structure, namely, residual stresses, material properties, and geometry of the structure. In the first example, the optimal residual strain in an actuator which provides the minimal deflection of a cantilevered beam is derived. The second example is concerned with the optimal control of a Winkler foundation rigidity in the problem of vibrations damping for a simply supported beam under dynamic loading. In the third example, for a given residual strain, the optimal length of the actuator that minimizes the beam deflection is obtained, and the dependence of the optimal length on the intensity of residual strain is calculated. Copyright 0 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.