Effect of porosity and power law index on the actuation properties of functionally graded piezoelectric plates

This study investigates the dynamic behavior of a functionally graded piezoelectric plate using a Finite Element (FE) model based on the First-order Shear Deformation Theory (FSDT). The effects of varying power law indices (0, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, and 5) and porosity ratios (0 to 0.5) on the actuation properties, including frequency and amplitude, are analyzed through harmonic analysis. The results indicate that increasing the power law index leads to higher natural frequencies and lower displacement amplitudes. In contrast, while porosity causes a slight frequency shift, the amplitude significantly decreases with increasing porosity. The study also highlights the material transition from metal to ceramic as the power law index and porosity ratio vary, providing valuable insights into the performance of functionally graded piezoelectric plates. The results reveal that raising the power law index enhances the natural frequency while decreasing the displacement amplitude. This arises because higher power law indices result in a stiffer, ceramic-dominated material, which improves stiffness while reducing deflection. In contrast, porosity has a minimal effect on the frequency but significantly influences the amplitude, causing it to decrease as the porosity ratio increases. The study sheds light on how variations in material composition, from metal to ceramic, affect the dynamic response of functionally graded piezoelectric plates. These discoveries are critical for optimizing the design of piezoelectric plates for use in sensors and actuators.