Computational Analysis of Piezoelectric Systems Using A Coupled Multiphysics Finite Element Model

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Date
2017-08-09
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Johns Hopkins University
Abstract
A multiphysics nite element model framework for coupling transient electromagnetic and dynamic mechanical elds is utilized to perform computational analysis of piezoelectric material systems. The model framework achieves coupling between the mechanical and electromagnetic elds by solving the corresponding governing equations in the time domain, and is capable of predicting the evolution of electric eld variables in a conducting medium undergoing dynamic nite deformation. The computational model is then calibrated to reproduce experimentally-characterized behavior of viscoelastic piezo-nanocomposite (p-NC) structures subjected to dynamic loading. The numerical model shows good agreement with experimental results on the loading-frequency dependent piezoelectric output of p-NC systems. Sensitivity study is conducted with the calibrated model to examine the e ect of the mechanical input parameters on piezoelectric output of p-NC. Based on the ndings, the energy harvesting and sensing performance of p-NC systems can be enhanced by e ectively harnessing the viscoelastic properties of the material.
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Keywords
piezoelectricity, viscoelasticity, finite element analysis
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