Solid-shell element model of assumed through-thickness electric distribution for laminate composite piezoelectric structures

 The eight-node solid-shell finite element models have been developed for the analysis of laminated composite pate/shell structures with piezoelectric actuators and sensors. To resolve the locking problems of the solid-shell elements in laminated materials and improve accuracy, the assumed natural strain method and hybrid stress method are employed. The nonlinear electric potential distribution in piezoelectric layer is described by introducing internal electric potential. The developed finite element models, especially, electric potential node model, have the advantages of simpler modeling and can obtain same effect that exact solution described.