Active beam vibration control using PZT actuators

Smart materials of lead-zirconate-titanate (PZT) piezoelectric ceramics have attracted attention in recent years for active vibration control, acoustic noise suppression, health monitoring and damage assessment. We at McDonnell Douglas Aerospace have been studying these ceramics for use as sensors and actuators in various space and aircraft structures. In this paper, we will report results of a recent study on active vibration control using monomorph PZT actuators. The experiments were performed on thin aluminum cantilever beams. Collocated and non-collocated sensors and actuators were employed. Two control techniques: the classical velocity feedback and adaptive feedback controls, were investigated. We have obtained significant damping and broadband vibration attenuation of greater than 30 dB using the classical control with the single-input single-output feedback approach. A 24 dB reduction has also been achieved using the adaptive control with the multiple-input single-output approach. Detailed experimental methods and results will be described.