Spectral Finite Element Method for Active Wave Control

Abstract

The concept of broadband control in flexible structure has evolved over recent times. Tremendous technological success in the field of smart structures and MEMS has laid the path towards implementation of such concepts. Structures made of multi-functional composites have provided a wide range of platforms for precision sensing, distributed actuation and control related applications. Most of the mathematical frameworks behind the control systems normally use the frequency domain characteristics of the system. Since the basic foundation of SFEM is in the frequency domain, these aspects will be fully exploited in the present chapter, while developing a finite element model with integrated control algorithm for the control of a distributed flexible structure. The approach uses SFEM developed earlier to model the dynamics of the host structures. The control element, namely the sensor and the actuator, will be modeled through an active spectral finite element (ASFE). This chapter supplements Chapter 2 in giving a complete overview of the constituent models for different smart sensors/actuators. Towards the end, a case study of helicopter cabin noise reduction is presented.