An analysis of a piezo-elastic restrictor using a capacitive shunt

The study investigates the control of structural response using collocated piezoelectric elements mounted on both sides of beam. A capacitive shunt is introduced into the circuitry to provide passive control of the beam's configuration. The energy method is used to develop the structure's governing equations. In order to select the appropriate electrostatic relations for the material, i.e. conductor or insulator material, the free charge rearrangement time is used. The effects of the capacitive shunt are introduced into the electrostatic relations using additive decomposition of capacitance. As an application of the model, a piezo-elastic beam restrictor using a capacitive shunt is investigated. Numerical results show that the capacitive shunt can effect passive control of the configuration of the beam.