article · Journal of Vibration and Control
Smart structures increasingly incorporate functionally graded piezoelectric materials, which combine sensing and actuating capabilities with gradual transitions in material properties. However, manufacturing these advanced composites often introduces internal porosities that alter their performance. An analytical investigation examines the electro-thermo-mechanical vibrational behaviour of such porous functionally graded piezoelectric plates using a refined four-variable plate theory. Material properties vary across the thickness following a modified power-law model, while thermal effects include uniform, linear, and nonlinear temperature changes. By solving governing equations derived from Hamilton's principle, the study evaluates how applied electrical voltage, porosity distribution, thermal loads, geometry, material gradation, and boundary conditions affect vibration characteristics. The analytical solutions show close agreement with existing literature, providing fundamental insight into dynamic structural responses.
Piezoelectric materials generate electrical charges under mechanical stress and change shape when voltage is applied, making them vital for advanced sensors and actuators. In real-world manufacturing, internal voids or porosities inevitably occur and alter structural behaviour. Understanding how these imperfections interact with temperature changes and electrical inputs ensures engineers can predict vibrations and prevent structural failures in high-performance environments.
The findings can inform engineers and designers working on smart structures, sensors, and actuators made from functionally graded piezoelectric composites. By accounting for internal porosities, the models aid in developing more accurate design tools for aerospace, mechanical, and dynamic systems. Because the work is focused on analytical modelling and theoretical solutions, it represents early-stage research that requires experimental testing and prototype integration before direct industrial adoption.
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In this article, electro-thermo-mechanical vibrational behavior of functionally graded piezoelectric (FGP) plates with porosities is explored via a refined four-variable plate theory for the first time. Uniform, linear and nonlinear temperature changes are considered in this study. Electro-elastic material properties of porous FGP plate vary across the thickness based on modified power-law model. The governing equations derived from Hamilton’s principle are solved analytically. The exactness of solution is confirmed by comparing obtained results with those provided in the literature. Influences of applied voltage, porosity distribution, thermal loadings, material gradation, plate geometrical parameters and boundary conditions on the vibrational behavior of FGP plates are discussed. These results can be applied for accurate design of smart structures made of functionally graded piezoelectric materials by considering porosity distribution.
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DOI: 10.1177/1077546316672788
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