Piezoelectric effect on transversal vibrations and buckling of a beam with varying cross section

In this study, the static and dynamic response of a system composed of an Euler-Bernoulli beam with axially restrained ends and a pair of piezo patches symmetrically bonded at a specified localization is investigated. The system is kinematically loaded as a result of the prescribed displacement of one or both supports. By applying an electric field to the piezo patches a residual in-plane stress is generated in the system. The residual force, depending on the direction of the electric field vector, may diminish or enhance the system buckling capacity as well as affecting its natural vibration frequency. In order to acquire approximate solutions to the non-linear dynamic equilibrium equation, a version of the Lindstedt-Poincare method is utilized. With this in mind, the transversal displacements, vibration frequency and axial dynamic force are expanded into exponential series with respect to the small amplitude parameter. The numerical results show the effect of the structural parameters and induced axial piezoelectric force on the stability of the system and its vibration frequency. The amplitude-frequency relationship of the actuated system is also investigated.