Parametric resonances of elastic membranes actuated by harmonic in-plane strains prescribed along given directions are exploited to drive dynamic morphing of lightweight, flexible panels employed in engineering applications which require active, shape-changing surfaces. An approximate nonlinear model of a pretensioned membrane together with its Galerkin discretization are adopted to describe the membrane out-of-plane motion.
A rich variety of resonance scenarios induced in thin elastic plates by periodic axial strains is investigated to describe the morphing capability of flexible, ultra-lightweight panels. The strain-induced excitation is provided by embedded piezoelectric strips actuated by time-varying voltages. The study deals with plates characterized by geometric and mechanical symmetry entailing cylindrical motions so that an ad hoc approximate nonlinear model of elastic beams is adopted to formulate the incremental equation of motion about the nonlinear equilibrium under dead loads.
© Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza" - Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Roma
