Modeling of adaptive composites including debonding

Debonding of piezoelectric actuators for use in composite structures can result in signi_cant changes to the static and dynamic response[ This important issue is studied in the current work[ The re_ned higher order theory for composite laminates with embedded:surface bonded piezoelectric sensors and actuators is extended to incorporate debonding of transducers by partitioning the laminate into debonded and non! debonded regions[ The stress free boundary conditions at the free surfaces are satis_ed in the analytical formulation[ Continuity conditions between the debonded and the nondebonded regions\ which are non! trivial for the higher order theory\ are formulated and implemented using a penalty approach in the _nite element model[ The computational model is e.cient and correlation with experimental results is very good[ Numerical results are presented which indicate signi_cant changes in the natural frequencies and mode shapes due to debonded transducers