Two geometrically nonlinear plate theories, based either on firstor third-order transverse shear deformation theory are used for finite element modeling and simulation of the transient response of smart structures incorporating piezoelectric layers. In particular the time histories of nonlinear vibrations and sensor voltage output of a thin beam with a piezoelectric patch bonded to the surface ...

A new method is investigated to reconfigure smart structures by the technique of polynomial series, used to approximate a true heteroclinic connection between unstable equilibria in a smart structure model. We explore the use of polynomials of varying order to firstly approximate the heteroclinic connection between two equalenergy unstable equilibrium points, and then develop an inverse method ...

Abstract: In this paper, new front-end structures (smart) are proposed to improve vehicle frontal impact. The work carried out in this paper includes developing and analysing mathematical models of vehicle-to-rigid barrier offset frontal impact using fixed and extendable smart front-end structures with piecewise linear characteristics. In these models, vehicle components are modelled by lumped ...