VIBRATION SUPPRESSION IN CARBON FIBER STRUCTURES WITH PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATORS AND FIBER BRAGG GRATING SENSORS

Carbon fiber structures have become widespread in civil and mechanical field since they are claimed to offer several advanges such as contained mass and high stiffness. However, these structures are characterized by a very low mechanical damping Ad, therefore, they are easily subjected to potentially dangerous vibratory phenomenon. Active control techniques have been widely developed to suppress vibration and great progresses have been achieved. On the other hand the research on sensors and actuators to be used is still a research field of interest. The paper discusses the opportunity to use piezoelectric actuators (PZT) and Fiber Bragg Grating sensors (FBGs) to realize a smart structure including in itself both the sensing and the actuating devices. Such a structure is able to measure its state of excitation and to reduce the amplitude of vibration using the embedded actuators.