Modelling piezoelectric excitation in waveguides using the semi-analytical finite element method

In this paper we present a wave-based technique for modelling waveguides equipped with piezoelectric actuators in which there is no need for common simplifications regarding their dynamic behaviour, the interaction with the waveguide or the bonding conditions. The proposed approach is based on the semi-analytical finite element (SAFE) method. We developed a new piezoelectric element and employed the analytical wave approach to model the distributed electrical excitation and scattering of the waves at discontinuities. The model was successfully verified numerically and validated against an experiment on a beam-like waveguide with emulated anechoic terminations. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.