Vibration analysis of laminated soft core sandwich plates with piezoelectric sensors and actuators

In this paper we present a finite element model for the dynamic analysis of sandwich laminated plates with a soft core and composite laminated face layers, as well as piezoelectric sensor and actuator layers. The model is formulated using a mixed layerwise approach, by considering a higher order shear deformation theory (HSDT) to represent the displacement field of the compressible core and a first order shear deformation theory (FSDT) for the displacement field of the adjacent laminated face layers and exterior piezoelectric layers. Control laws are implemented and the model is validated for free and forced vibrations with results from the literature and the effect of the core transverse compressibility is assessed on modal damping and frequency response.