Finite element modeling and experimental validation of macro-fiber composite with sandwich structure

基于三明治结构的压电纤维复合材料有限元建模与实验验证

¹ School of Sciences, Chang'an University, Xi'an 710064, China
² School of Highway, Chang'an University, Xi'an 710064, China
³ School of Aeronautics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China

Received: 21 May 2025

Abstract

Macro-fiber composite(MFC) boasts good flexibility, strong environmental adaptability, and high driving force, which has driven its extensive adoption in fields like aerospace and navigation. To resolve the conflict between computational accuracy and cost in traditional MFC finite element modeling methods, a sandwich structure based MFC finite element modeling method is proposed. Firstly, considering the contribution of cross copper electrodes to the stiffness of MFC, a finite element modeling method for MFC based on the sandwich structure of "electrode layer-active layer-electrode layer" is proposed. Then, the ANSYS-APDL software is used to establish the sandwich finite element model of MFC, and its free strain and blocking force under actual working conditions are calculated to verify the rationality of the established finite element model. Finally, a "piezoelectric-structure" coupled finite element modeling of a cantilever beam with an attached MFC actuator is established, followed by numerical simulation and experimental validation. Results reveal that compared to the traditional homogenization finite element modeling method, the proposed sandwich structure based finite element modeling method markedly enhances the simulation accuracy of MFC driving characteristics. Moreover, it effectively cuts computational costs compared to the micro-scale fine-grained finite element modeling method, making it highly valuable for practical engineering applications.

摘要

压电纤维复合材料(macro-fiber composite, MFC)具有柔韧性佳、环境适应性强且驱动力大等优势, 在航空、航天、航海等诸多领域得到广泛应用。针对传统MFC有限元建模方法在计算精度与计算成本之间的矛盾, 提出了一种基于三明治结构的MFC有限元建模方法。考虑交叉铜电极对MFC刚度的贡献, 提出了一种基于"电极层-活性层-电极层"三明治结构的MFC有限元建模方法。利用ANSYS-APDL软件建立了MFC的三明治有限元模型, 计算得到其在实际工况下的自由应变和阻滞力, 验证了所建立的有限元模型的合理性。对粘贴有MFC作动器的悬臂梁结构进行了"压电-结构"耦合有限元建模、数值仿真与实验验证。结果表明, 相较于传统均质化有限元建模方法, 所提基于三明治结构的有限元建模方法明显提升了MFC驱动特性的模拟精度, 同时与细观尺度上的精细化有限元建模方法相比, 有效节约了计算成本, 具有良好的工程实用价值。