Transition of the buckling load of beams by the use of piezoelectric layers

This paper studies the transition or jump of the buckling load of beam structures by application of a follower tensile force induced by the piezoelectric materials. A beam with its left end fixed and its right end restrained by a translational spring is investigated for the analytical solution. The transition of the buckling load for the beam is discussed versus the variation of the spring stiffness and the length of the piezoelectric layer through numerical simulations. The voltage needed for the transition of the buckling load is also obtained. This jump in the buckling load by the use of piezoelectric layers can only be achieved, as is indicated from analyses, if the stiffness of the spring is small enough, owing to the allowable voltage applied to the piezoelectric layers. This research provides a way for great enhancement of the buckling load for beam structures using smart materials. It also opens a door for the application of smart materials in the buckling control of structures.