Mechanics of Smart Structures.

Smart structures represent a modern high-tech concept, integrating distributed actuators and sensors into the structure. In connection with a control system, these structures may respond in a quasi intelligent manner to external disturbances. Adaptive wings and smart skis represent up-to-date applications. With emphasis to interdisciplinary aspects, the project is concerned with some open mechanical questions: Distributions of actuators shall be found which annihilate exactly vibrations due to external forces. Distributed sensors forming a natural output of the control system shall be discused. The dynamics of smart structures within the physically and geometrically nonlinear range shall be studied. Refined theories for smart composite laminates shall be considered, and the results shall be verified experimentally.