We examine the mechanical response of a heterogeneous dielectric media to electorstatic excitation. The governing equations for the coupled electromechanical problem are determined together with the required statements of the boundary and the interface continuity conditions. Results for the class of sequentially laminated composites are calculated and compared with corresponding finite element simulations and analytical estimates. These calculations demonstrate that the electromechanical coupling can be improved by considering non-homogeneous electromechanical actuators. These findings are in agreement with recent experimental works showing that the limitations of EAP actuators can be overcome by making composites of flexible and high dielectric modulus materials.

Date Published: 6 April 2006
PDF: 10 pages
Proc. SPIE 6170, Smart Structures and Materials 2006: Active Materials: Behavior and Mechanics, 617024 (6 April 2006); doi: 10.1117/12.659981

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 6170:
Smart Structures and Materials 2006: Active Materials: Behavior and Mechanics
William D. Armstrong, Editor(s)