A finite element analysis demonstrates that active piezoelectric actuators and bonded composite patches reduce stress concentration factors in aluminum plates featuring a central hole under uniaxial tensile loading. According to the numerical evaluation, a fully active configuration equipped with piezoelectric actuators on both sides of the plate achieved the greatest improvement, decreasing the stress concentration factor by 60.67 percent.
The parametric investigation examined several bonded repair strategies to evaluate their performance and the resulting stress distribution under tensile loads. A passive double-sided composite patch reduced the stress concentration factor by approximately 55.67 percent. Meanwhile, a hybrid system combining a composite patch with an actuator operating under an electric field of 1.0 achieved a 56.99 percent reduction.
The researchers noted that material failure in fracture mechanics can occur when an applied load is directly proportional to a maximum stress region or stress concentration point. Overall, the simulation findings indicate that electric field intensity plays a critical role in enhancing repair performance, with actuator-based active repair outperforming passive patching to provide structural control strategies for aerospace and mechanical systems.
Subject of Research: Stress concentration reduction in aluminum structures using piezoelectric actuators and composite patches
Article Title: Control of stress concentration using bonded piezoelectric actuator and composite patch in aluminium structure
Article References: Aabid, A., Baig, M., & Hrairi, M. (2026). Control of stress concentration using bonded piezoelectric actuator and composite patch in aluminium structure. Discover Materials. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-026-01072-w
Image Credits: AI Generated
DOI: 10.1007/s43939-026-01072-w
Keywords: finite element analysis, stress concentration, aluminum structures, piezoelectric actuators, composite patches, fracture mechanics, structural control, tensile loading, Control, stress, concentration, bonded
News Source: Denise Maddox. (November 6, 2026). Simulations Show Piezoelectric Actuators Reduce Stress Concentration in Aluminum Plates. Scienmag.
