Application of smart materials in automotive structures

Abstract

The demand in the automobil sector for greater comfort in the vehicle is of a high importance alongside the requirements for a low emission of pollutants. With regard to a higher comfort the reduction of the interior noise level is mostly associated with a higher structural weight. It is for this reason that the application of so-called intelligent materials is apptopriate since these can be used to realize an overall adaptive system. The materials under discussion are pizeceramic foils and fibres which can easily be fitted to thin-walled structures like a roof panel or a dash-board. Investigations have shown that the knowledge of the dynamic structural behaviour is vital at the design of an adaptive system. Mostly this knowgledge can only be gained by using sophisticated numerical models associated with a great effort of computing time. In order not to expand the computing time a model has been developed which allows a fast assessment of the dynamic behaviour of a structure with integrated smart materials. Exemplary the results of this model are presented for a flat steel plate with applicated piezoceramic foils. The accuracy of this model is being proved by the presentation of experimental results.