Vibration analysis and optimal control of rotating pre-twisted thin-walled beams using MFC actuators and sensors

Structural modeling of rotating pre-twisted thin-walled composite beams with embedded macro fiber composite (MFC) actuators and sensors using higher shear deformation theory (HSDT) is presented in the present work. The governing system of equations is derived from Hamilton's principle and solution is obtained by extended Galerkin's method. Optimal control problem is solved using linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) control algorithm. Vibration characteristics and optimal control for a box beam configuration are discussed in the numerical examples. It is observed in the present study that, gyroscopic coupling between lagging-extension motions is found to have significant effect and cannot be neglected in the analysis. Effects of vibration suppression using MFC actuators and sensors are highlighted. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.