Design of smart beams - an integrated design procedure
Smart structures have actuators and processors among their constitutive elements. With the help of these devices, the structure can adapt itself to an external applied force. The task of the designer is to optimize the position of these actuators and the control algorithm for the processor. As a result one arrives at a problem that couples optimal control and structural design. Although many methods and algorithms for designing smart structures have been developed, none of them integrates the structural design and optimal control problems. This paper presents an approach to smart structures that deals with the design of the structure and of the control intelligence together. The solution to the design problem for smart beams is presented. The method can also be applied to smart frameworks and various types of actuators.
smart structure structural design design of intelligence