Active control of flexible structures by use of segmented piezoelectric elements

We use segmented piezopolymer (polyvinylidene fluoride) and piezoceramic (lead zirconate titanate) materials to sense and control structural vibration to eliminate undesired elastic motion. We use modal control techniques to generate the control inputs. The elements can be of any shape or size, making control implementation simpler than for modal sensors and actuators, which must be cut into specific shapes. We analyze the performance of piezoceramic and piezopolymer materials with regard to the size of the elements and the maximum amount of charge that can be applied to the actuators. The proposed modal control method is versatile and easy to implement. System simulations on plate elements show that piezoceramic actuators are desirable for control of elastic motion.