Trans Tech Publications, Advances in Science and Technology, 2008
DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/ast.56.380
Trans Tech Publications, Advances in Science and Technology, p. 380-385
DOI: 10.4028/3-908158-13-3.380
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This paper characterises the properties of unsymmetric bistable carbon fibre composites actuated using a single piezoelectric macro fibre actuator. A piezoelectric–laminate combination under two-axis constraint was evaluated in terms of its load–deflection characteristics, snap-through force and stiffness. The load–deflection characteristics indicate that snap-through force and laminate stiffness increase as a function of piezoelectric actuator drive-voltage. Both snap-through force and laminate stiffness are significantly increased under two-axis constraint, as compared to single-axis constraint. Snap-through force and stiffness are shown to be affected by localised curvature variation caused by laminate ageing.