Parametric Investigation of Buckling Capacity Improvement of Cracked Columns with Piezoelectric Patches

In this paper, instability behavior of cracked column equipped with piezoelectric patch is investigated, analytically. Polarization orientation is in such a way that axial force is induced in column. Crack is modeled as a torsional spring that connects two intact portion of column. After considering boundary conditions and continuity at the crack position and edges of piezoelectric patch positions, governing equations of buckling behavior of cracked column are obtained. Effects of effective parameters on the first and second buckling capacity of cracked column such as cracked parameters (position and depth), position, length and voltage of piezoelectric patch is investigated using suitable sketches. The results show that crack decreases buckling capacity, prominently. This decrease depends on position and depth of crack. Using appropriate position and length of piezoelectric patch, buckling capacity of cracked column is improved. The appropriate position of piezoelectric patch is not analogues to the crack position, necessarily and may be determined according to the column boundary conditions and crack position. The results show that positive voltage has opposite effects on the first and second buckling capacity of column.