see

https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_can_I_simulate_an_electrical_resistance_in_Abaqus_electro-mechanical_coupling

Dear Christopher Willett

why not? You can do that in ABAQUS, but it takes time. You may create your electro-mechanical components in the part section. Then, you can connect all of components in assembly section using the suitable constraints. Second way, you also can use PATRAN software for modelling whole model, and then export to ABAQUS with format .inp

see

http://przyrbwn.icm.edu.pl/APP/PDF/125/a125z6p34.pdf

Dear Quang Thang Do

Thank you for your response. I have only very recently started my PhD project and I'm a new ABAQUS user so my experience with the software is somewhat limited at this time. I would be very appreciative if you would be so kind as to spare a moment of your time and answer some follow up questions I have.

I am currently generating an FEA model of a simple cantilever beam with a piezoelectric patch on the top surface as to familiarise myself with ABAQUS, and I wish to carry out a direct steady-state dynamic analysis of the system to calculate the system's response at its first natural frequency. I then wish to optimise the system for maximum power output for a closed circuit (i.e a resistor connected to the piezoelectric patch).

I have set up the model so far as follows:

• Local 1-direction is in the longitudinal direction of the beam, local 2- and 3-directions are in the beam cross section;
• Rectangular aluminium cantilever beam (rectangular cross section) assigned C3D20 element type;
• Rectangular piezoelectric patch (PZT-5H with poling direction in the local 2-direction) assigned C3D20E element type;
• Piezoelectric patch positioned on the upper surface of the cantilever beam. TIE constraint (node-to-surface) between the cantilever and piezoelectric patch;
• Displacement/rotation (U1, U2, U3, UR1, UR2, UR3) boundary condition at one end of the cantilever beam applied in the initial step;
• Natural frequency extraction step;
• 5mm displacement (negative local 2-direction) at the centre point of the free end of the beam as the load;
• Direct-solution steady-state dynamic analysis step to calculate the steady-state dynamic response of the system to harmonic excitation at the first natural frequency;

I understand that I need to use the equation constraint tool to constrain the electrical potential DOFs on the surface nodes of the piezoelectric patch to model the surfaces as electrodes with uniform potential; however, I am unfamiliar with how to do this and have been unable to find an explanation on the procedure? In terms of modelling elements of the circuit, how would I model a resistor for example, and would I need to create the wires that connect the resistor to the piezoelectric patch as parts of the assembly or is there a constraint I can use to model the wires?

Thank you for your time and I would very much appreciate any attempt to answer my questions or guidance as to where I can find references that explain the modelling procedures related to my questions.

To get equivalent electric potential (EPOT) across the PZT-beam, in Abaqus Simulation, it is appropriate to use the Equation constraint as following.

In terms of modelling elements of the circuit, you should install Fortran, couple with Abaqus. Then, create a subroutine on Fortran and import it in the job in Abaqus.

Marwa Mallouli Thank you for your response, your advice is much appreciated.

see

https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_can_I_simulate_an_electrical_resistance_in_Abaqus_electro-mechanical_coupling