Electroelastic field in a piezoelectric strip with D∞ symmetry subjected to surface shear

Abstract

To improve the practicability of investigating devices composed of a body with D∞ symmetry, aiming at safe and sound operation, the electroelastic field was investigated for a strip with finite thickness subjected to a shear stress distribution that models a mechanical load input to such a device. An analytical technique constructed previously and the Fourier transformation technique with respect to the in-plane coordinates were employed. Then, the three-dimensional distributions of the electroelastic field quantities, such as displacement, electric potential, electric field, strain, stress, and electric displacement, were determined. Through the use of numerical calculations in which it is assumed that the device receives a mechanical load input and produces an electric signal output, the structure of the electroelastic field was investigated. It was found that the precise determination of electric displacement as an electric signal output required three-dimensional analysis considering the electroelastic coupling effect, whereas the stress-strain relation was substantially elastic. Then, it was found that the effect of finite thickness on the field needed to be considered for a relatively thin strip with a thickness comparable to, or less than, the effective width of the surface shear distribution. Moreover, from an application viewpoint, the results suggested that the optimal thickness to maximize an electric signal output exists.

Keywords

• electroelasticity
• d∞ symmetry
• strip
• analytical solution
• wood
• poly-lactic acid