Modelling of a beam excited by piezoelectric actuators in view of tactile applications

This paper deals with a one-dimensional semi-analytical modelling of the vibratory behaviour of a rectangular beam excited by several piezoelectric ceramics glued on its lower face. The establishment of the equations of motion is secured by the application of Hamilton's principle. From this approach, it results an accurate knowledge on the mode shape in function of the geometry, the structure, and the positions of the piezoelectric actuators. This approach deployed on a simple case falls within a general process of tactile surfaces optimization. This article shows that there is a trade-off between the optimization of the homogeneity of the tactile stimulation and the electromechanical coupling factor.