Simulation of Piezoelectric Smart Lightweight Structures by the Finite Element Method for Acoustic Control

Piezoelectric patches are widely used as distributed actuators and sensors for active vibration control. Active control of sound in this way is mainly interesting in the low frequency range, where passive methods are less effective. To simulate such electromechanical‐acoustical systems a virtual overall model based on the FEM is presented in the paper. Different approaches for model reduction with respect to controller design purposes are discussed. As a simple test example the numerical model of an acoustic box is studied. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)