Experiments of piezoelectric shunt damping for vibration control with topology optimization

Topology optimization of piezoelectric transducer was proposed to improve vibration damping efficiency of piezoelectric shunt damping system. In the method, the distribution area of PZT transducer bonded on the host structure was defined as design variable to maximize the converted electrical energy in piezoelectric transducer, and the optimal topology of piezoelectric transducer was achieved. The topology optimization of piezoelectric transducer for different modes vibration control of a cantilever beam was conducted. Then the experimental models for different modes vibration control of cantilever beams with optimal topology of PZT transducers were built and piezoelectric damping vibration control tests for different modes of vibration were performed. The comparison of vibration control efficiency between piezoelectric shunt damping systems with and without PZT transducer topology optimization was also presented. The results show that topology optimization of piezoelectric transducer can significantly increase the vibration control efficiency of piezoelectric shunt damping system.