On the modelling of piezoelectric laminated structures (Q1206698)

The author presents a method to study the coupled elastic-electric behavior of piezoelectric laminated structures. The structure consists of a large number of layers (different arrangements are conceivable yielding, in particular, ``smart'' structures). The method proposed, which aims at providing both local and global informations, is based on the use of transfer matrices such as developed in previous works for purely elastic laminated structures (see, e.g., [\textit{L. Y. Bahar}, J. Engn. Mech. Div. 98, 1159-1172 (1975)]). The characteristics and versatility of the transfer matrix are preserved in spite of the obvious complexities brought in by the required material anisotropy (for piezoelectricity) and electroelastic couplings.