Static Force Reliability Analysis of Truss Structure with Piezoelectric Patches Affixed to Its Surface

For the truss structure composed of active-elements with piezoelectric patches affixed to its surface, taking the mechanical-electric coupling effect under the action of electric loads and mechanical loads into consideration, the finite element model for static force analysis is established by using the theory of mechanics. The failure mechanism of piezoelectric elements is discussed and the failure criteria of piezoelectric elements are proposed. The expression of safety margins for the element of piezoelectric truss structure is proposed with fracture strength, damage electric field strength, the section area of elements, and loads as random variables. On the basis of the research, the stochastic finite element method and structural reliability theory are used to analyze the reliability of the piezoelectric truss structure. An example is given to demonstrate the validity of this method.