H.S. Tzou - Böcker

The study of intelligent (smart) structures and systems is emerging as a new research area that is multi-disciplinary in nature, requiring technical expertise from mechanical engineering, structural enginering, electrical engineering, applied mechanics, engineering mathematics, material science, computer science, biological science etc. This technololgy is quite likely to contribute significantly to advances in the design of high-performance structures, adaptive structures, high-precision systems, microsystems, etc. This volume contains specially invited contributions to state-of-the-art research in the evolution of intelligent (smart) structures and systems. Topics include: current intelligent (smart) structures research activities, peizoelectric structures, shape memory alloy reinforced composites, applications of electrorheological fluids, intelligent sensor systems, adaptive precision trusses, damage detection, model reinforcement, control of axial moving continua, distributed transducers etc.

Research into and development of high-precision systems, micro-electromechanical syustems, distributed sensors/actuators, smart structural systems, high-precision controls, etc, have drawn much attention in recent years. These new devices and systems will bring about a new technological revolution in modern industries and impact future human life. This book presents an overview of these technologies such as silicon based sensors/actuators and control piezoelectric micro sensors/actuators, micro actuation and control, micro sensor applications in robot control, optical fibre sensors/systems, and more. There are four main subjects emphasized in the book: (current) research and development; fundamental theories and tools; practical applications; and future research and development.

Synergistic integration of smart materials, structures, sensors, actuators and control electronics has redefined the concept of"structures" from a conventional passive elastic system to an active controllable structronic (structure +electronic) system with inherent self-sensing, diagnosis, and control capabilities. Such structronic systems can be used as components of high performance systems or can be an integrated structure itself performing designated functions and tasks. Due to the multidisciplinary nature of structronic systems their development has attracted researchers and scientists from theoretical and applied mechanics and many other disciplines, such as structures, materials, control, electronics, computers, mathematics, manufacturing, electromechanics, etc. , see Figure I. This field was first introduced about mid-80 and it is quickly becoming a new emerging field recognized as one ofthe key technologies of 51 the 21 century. This new field focuses on not only multi-field and multi-discipline integrations, but has also enormous practical applications impacting many industries and enriching human living qualities. Structures (Systemill, Monitoring...)(Non-homogeneous & Incompatible Structures) Electromechanics I StrucTranics I (SmartStructures) ___. I Mechanics (Solid, (Intelligent Structural Systems) Fracture,Fatigue...) DynamicslKinematics & Vibration Figure I Multi-disciplinary integration ofstructronic systems. To reflect the rapid development in smart structures and structronic systems, the objective of the IUTAM 2000 Symposium on Smart Structures and Structronic Systems, the first IUTAM symposium in this new emerging area, is to provide a forum to discuss recent research advances and future directions or trends in this field.

The study of 'intelligent (smart) structures and systems' is emerging as a new research area that is multi-disciplinary in nature, requiring technical expertise from mechanical engineering, structural engineering, electrical engineering, applied mechanics, engineering mathematics, material science, computer science, biological science, etc. This technology is quite likely to contribute significantly to advances in the design of high-performance structures, adaptive structures, high-precision systems, microsystems, etc. This volume contains specially invited contributions to state-of-the-art research in the evolution of intelligent (smart) structures and systems. Topics include: current intelligent (smart) structures research activities, piezoelectric structures, shape memory alloy reinforced composites, applications of electrorheological fluids, intelligent sensor systems, adaptive presicion trusses, damage detection, model reinforcement, control of axal moving continua, distributed transducers, etc.

Synergistic integration of smart materials, structures, sensors, actuators and control electronics has redefined the concept of"structures" from a conventional passive elastic system to an active controllable structronic (structure +electronic) system with inherent self-sensing, diagnosis, and control capabilities. Such structronic systems can be used as components of high performance systems or can be an integrated structure itself performing designated functions and tasks. Due to the multidisciplinary nature of structronic systems their development has attracted researchers and scientists from theoretical and applied mechanics and many other disciplines, such as structures, materials, control, electronics, computers, mathematics, manufacturing, electromechanics, etc. , see Figure I. This field was first introduced about mid-80 and it is quickly becoming a new emerging field recognized as one ofthe key technologies of 51 the 21 century. This new field focuses on not only multi-field and multi-discipline integrations, but has also enormous practical applications impacting many industries and enriching human living qualities. Structures (Systemill, Monitoring...)(Non-homogeneous & Incompatible Structures) Electromechanics I StrucTranics I (SmartStructures) ___. I Mechanics (Solid, (Intelligent Structural Systems) Fracture,Fatigue...) DynamicslKinematics & Vibration Figure I Multi-disciplinary integration ofstructronic systems. To reflect the rapid development in smart structures and structronic systems, the objective of the IUTAM 2000 Symposium on Smart Structures and Structronic Systems, the first IUTAM symposium in this new emerging area, is to provide a forum to discuss recent research advances and future directions or trends in this field.

Exploiting new advanced structures and electromechanical systems, e. g. , adaptive structures, high-precision systems, micro electromechanical systems, distributed sensors/actuators, precision manipulation and controls, etc. , has been becoming one of the mainstream research and development activities (structure & motion) in recent years. These new systems and devices could bring a new technological revolution in modern industries and further, directly or indirectly, impact human life. In the search for and research in innovative technologies, it is proved that piezoelectric materials are very versatile in both sensor and actuator applications. Consequently, piezoelectric technology has been widely applied to a large number of industrial applications and devices, varying from thin-film micro sensors/actuators to large space structures in addition to those relatively conventional applications, e. g. , sensors, actuators, hydrophones, precision manipulators, mobile robots, micro motors, etc. There have been a few books on piezoelectricity published in the past; however, a unified presentation of piezoelectric shells and distributed senSing/control applications is still lacking. This book is intended to fill the gap and to pro~de practising engineers and researchers with an introduction to advanced piezoelectric shell theories and distributed sensor/actuator technologies in structural identification and control. This book represents a collection of the author's recent research and development on piezoelectric shells and related applications to distributed measurement and control of continuaj it reflects six best-paper awards, including [ xviii] • Contents. two ASME Best-Paper Awards in recent years.