Smart Control of Vibrations in Functionally Graded Porous Wind Turbine Blades via Piezoelectric Materials

Abstract

Piezoelectric materials possess the unique ability to convert mechanical stress into electrical voltage and vice versa, making them highly suitable for various smart engineering applications. One of their most promising uses is in the field of vibration energy harvesting, where ambient mechanical vibrations can be transformed into usable electrical energy. For instance, when integrated into roads, pavements, or structural components, piezoelectric sensors and actuators can harvest energy from dynamic loads such as moving vehicles or pedestrians. In renewable energy systems, particularly wind turbines, blade vibrations can lead to structural fatigue and efficiency loss. The integration of piezoelectric elements for active vibration control can significantly reduce unwanted oscillations and enhance operational stability and energy output. Simultaneously, functionally graded materials (FGMs) — advanced composites with spatially varying properties — are increasingly being used in the design of wind turbine blades and other mechanical components due to their ability to optimize strength and reduce stress concentrations. This research focuses on the active vibration control of tapered FGM beams with porous structures using embedded piezoelectric actuators. The modeling approach combines Euler-Bernoulli beam theory with the finite element method (FEM), and the governing equations are derived through Hamilton’s principle to accurately capture the dynamic behavior of the system.