Experimental and numerical analysis of free vibration of smart two-layered Aluminum/Piezoelectric cylindrical panel

Piezoelectric materials, in different shapes such as rectangular plate, annular plate, circular plate and cylindrical shell, have increasing application in industries in order to create smart structures. In this article, experimental and numerical analysis of free vibration of a two-layered cylindrical panel with metal and piezoelectric layer in different boundary condition is carried out. First, a single PZT-4 layer is polarized in radial direction. Using the Piezoelectric layer and an Aluminum layer, a two-layered smart panel is prepared. Then, the first natural frequency of the hybrid panel with free boundary condition is measured experimentally in three different ways. The hybrid panel is simulated in a finite element software (Abaqus). Results show good agreement between different experimental methods, as well as, between finite element model and experimental results. The accuracy, limitations and merits of different experimental methods are discussed completely. The results show that the natural frequency can be achieved accurately by excitation of actuator layer. Finally, the influence of different boundary conditions as well as geometrical parameter such as radios, length and thickness of smart cylindrical panel are investigated using the finite element software.