DEPARTMENT OF MECHATRONICS ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY, PESHAWAR

MtE-350L MECHANICAL VIBRATION LAB, 5th Semester

Student Name: Hasnat Saleem Reg No: 19PWMCT0703 Dated: 25th Feb,2022

Lab Tittle: To Find the Eigen frequency of the Circular Bimorph piezo Plate using COMSOL Multiphysics

Lab No: 12

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Course instructor: ENGR. WAHAD UR REHMAN

Title:
TO FIND THE EIGEN FREQUENCY OF CIRCULAR BIMORPH PIEZO PLATE
USING COMSOL MULTIPHYSICS

Objectives:

 To study the detailed theory of Eigen frequency.

 To find the Eigen frequency bimorph piezo electric plate.
 To find the Eigen frequencies and corresponding mode shapes of circular bimorph piezo
electric plate.
 To analyze the factor affecting the natural frequency of circular bimorph piezo electric plate.

Tool & Equipment:

In this lab we will use the following system:
1. COMSOL Multiphysics
2. MATLAB/EXCEL

Theory:
Introduction to Eigen Frequency:
Eigenfrequencies or natural frequencies are certain discrete frequencies at which a system is prone to
vibrate. Natural frequencies appear in many types of systems, for example, as standing waves in a musical
instrument or in an electrical RLC circuit. Here, we mainly describe the study of eigenfrequencies in
mechanical structures, but many of the concepts are generally applicable.
When vibrating at a certain eigenfrequency, a structure deforms into a corresponding shape, the eigenmode.
An eigenfrequency analysis can only provide the shape of the mode, not the amplitude of any physical
vibration. The true size of the deformation can only be determined if an actual excitation is known together
with damping properties.
Determining the eigenfrequencies of a structure is an important part of structural engineering. Some
objectives of such an analysis are to:

 Ascertain that a periodic excitation does not cause a resonance that may lead to excessive stresses or
noise emission
 Ascertain that a periodic excitation causes a resonance in, for example, a piezoelectric vibrator
 Check if a quasistatic analysis of a structure is appropriate based on the fact that all natural
frequencies are high when compared to the frequency content of the loading
 Investigate suitable choices of time steps or frequencies for a subsequent dynamic response analysis
 Provide eigenmodes for a subsequent analysis based on mode superposition
 Provide insight into how design changes can affect a certain eigenfrequency by studying its mode
shape

How Piezoelectricity Works to Make Crystals Conduct Electric Current

Piezo what? It sounds like a lot to take in, but it’s simple to understand. The word piezoelectric originates
from the Greek word piezein, which literally means to squeeze or press. Instead of squeezing grapes to
make wine, we’re squeezing crystals to make an electric current! Piezoelectricity is found in a ton of
everyday electronic devices, from quartz watches to speakers and microphones. In a nutshell:
 Piezoelectricity is the process of using crystals to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy,
or vice versa.
Regular crystals are defined by their organized and repeating structure of atoms that are held together by
bonds, this is called a unit cell. Most crystals, such as iron have a symmetrical unit cell, which makes them
useless for piezoelectric purposes

Piezoelectric Material:
Piezoelectric ceramics and polymeric composites such as lead–zirconate–titanate (PZT) are widely
implemented in micro-actuators and transducers due to their high polarization density. Macro-scale medical
ultrasound devices are typically composed of piezoelectric bulk wave resonators, which have high acoustic
impedance and are capable of transmitting high acoustic pressure waves. Although advanced 3-D probes for
real-time scanning can be realized with tiny 2-D arrays of piezoelectric elements, the labor-intensive
manufacturing processes such as polishing, bonding, dicing, and delicate integration limit practicality.

How Piezoelectricity Works

We have specific materials that are suited for piezoelectricity applications, but how exactly does the process
work? With the Piezoelectric Effect. The most unique trait of this effect is that it works two ways. You can
apply mechanical energy or electrical energy to the same piezoelectric material and get an opposite result.
Applying mechanical energy to a crystal is called a direct piezoelectric effect and works like this:

1. A piezoelectric crystal is placed between two metal plates. At this point the material is in perfect
balance and does not conduct an electric current.
2. Mechanical pressure is then applied to the material by the metal plates, which forces the electric
charges within the crystal out of balance. Excess negative and positive charges appear on opposite
sides of the crystal face.
3. The metal plate collects these charges, which can be used to produce a voltage and send an electrical
current through a circuit.

Figure 12. 1 Piezoelectric Effect

That’s it, a simple application of mechanical pressure, the squeezing of a crystal and suddenly you have an
electric current. You can also do the opposite, applying an electrical signal to a material as an inverse
piezoelectric effect. It works like this:

1. In the same situation as the example above, we have a piezoelectric crystal placed between two
metal plates. The crystal’s structure is in perfect balance.
2. Electrical energy is then applied to the crystal, which shrinks and expands the crystal’s structure.
3. As the crystal’s structure expands and contracts, it converts the received electrical energy and
releases mechanical energy in the form of a sound wave.

Figure 12. 2 Piezoelectric Effect

The inverse piezoelectric effect is used in a variety of applications. Take a speaker for example, which
applies a voltage to a piezoelectric ceramic, causing the material to vibrate the air as sound waves.

Simulation:
Steps:
1. Setting up Model Environment:
2. Select model wizard

Graph 12.3 Setting Environment

3. Select Space Dimension to 3D

Graph 12.4 Setting Space

4. Now Add Solid mechanics.

e
Graph 11.5 Adding Mechanics

5. Select study to Eigen Frequency

Graph 12.6 Setting Study

6. Now to make cantilever beam. Select Geometry > Block > Dimension Dimensions

 Substrate layer, D = 27mm

 Substrate layer thickness, t = 0.23mm
 PZT layer, D = 20mm
 PZT layer thickness, t = 0.22mm
 Load = 10N
 Proof mass =5x0.22mm.

7. Add Materials Next (Structural Steel).

Graph 12.7 Adding Material

 8. Creating Mesh:

Figure 12.7 Creating Mesh

In-Lab Tasks:
Table 12.1: Eigen frequencies of circular bimorph piezo plate without proof
mass.

Eigen Frequency Picture

3180

7170.2

7170.4
 11345

11347

1. Substrate layer Diameter Vs Eigen Frequency:

Table 12.2: Substrate layer diameter vs Eigen frequency

S Substrate Eigen Eigen Eigen Eigen Eigen

no. Diameter F1 F2 F3 F4 F5
(mm)

1 21 1111 2848.4 2901.6 9065.1 9528.7

2 22 1054.1 2706.6 2882 8535.7 9150.1
3 23 1013 2747 2850 8170.1 8866.9
4 24 874.99 2348.8 2437.1 6664.8 7133.8
5 25 780.37 2089.7 2096.2 5678.3 6239.2
6 26 734.87 2041.8 2133.3 5145.6 5695.7
7 27 728.15 2035.4 2124.4 5140.7 5687.7
8 28 651.79 1753.8 1855.8 4501.9 4959.5
9 29 642.6 1691.5 1801.5 4263.4 4917.2
10 30 775.7 2330.4 2553.3 5398.5 6270.6
Graph:

Substrate Diameter Vs Eigen

30000 Frequency
25000
Eigen Frequency

20000
15000
10000
5000
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 910
substrate Diameter

Series1 Series2 Series3

Series4 Series5 Series6

Figure 12.11: Substrate layer diameter vs Eigen frequency

2. Thickness of substrate Vs Eigen Frequency:

Table 12.4: Thickness of substrate Vs Eigen Frequency

S Substrate Eigen Eigen Eigen Eigen Eigen

no. Thickness F1 F2 F3 F4 F5
(mm)

1 0.20 1984.9 3468.4 3493.5 4994.5 5522.3

2 0.21 2046.8 3509.3 3541.1 4813.5 5243.4
3 0.22 2738 5699.4 5701.8 26557 27326
4 0.23 2813 5776.3 5803.8 27475 28590
5 0.24 2830.7 5796.2 5819.7 26735 28116
6 0.25 2943.2 6007.9 6019.9 29708 30557
7 0.26 3938.1 6172.8 6196.8 30726 32156
8 0.27 3951.4 6234.6 6267.4 31703 34160
9 0.28 4980.5 6420.5 6356.2 34508 36234
10 0.29 4990.8 6634.6 6476.1 36654 38567
11 0.30 5760.3 6856.2 6576.3 37543 40890
 Thickness of the substrate Vs Eigen Frequency
80000
70000
Eigen frequency 60000
50000
40000
30000
20000
10000
0
1234567891011
thickness of substrate

Series1 Series2 Series3 Series4 Series5 Series6

Figure 12.12: Thickness of substrate Vs Eigen Frequency

3. Proof mass volume Vs Eigen Frequency:

Table 12.3 Proof mass volume Vs Eigen Frequency

S Height Radius Proof Eigen Eigen Eigen Eigen Eigen
no. mass F1 F2 F3 F4 F5
Volume

1 5 5.5 475.17 3053.9 6010.2 6047.4 33547 34731

2 5 6 565.49 3236.7 6163.3 6185.3 39458 40006

3 5 6.5 663.66 3337.6 6150.2 6196.8 43271 43563

4 5 7 769.69 3526.4 6288.7 6331.2 43244 43324

5 5 7.5 883.57 3813.3 6582.5 6626.7 42368 42391

10
Graph:

Volume of proof mass Vs Eigen frequency

140000
120000
Eigen frequency

100000
80000
60000
40000
20000
0
1 2 3 4 5 6
volume of proof mass

Series1 Series2 Series3 Series4 Series5

Figure 12.13: Proof mass volume Vs Eigen Frequency

4. Applied load Vs Eigen frequency:

Table 12.4: Applied load Vs Eigen frequency

S Applied load Eigen F1 Eigen F2 Eigen F3 Eigen F4 Eigen F5

no.

1 100 2738 5699.4 5701.8 26557 27326

2 110 2573.6 5281.5 5285.1 22835 23342
3 120 2532.1 5182.6 5183.5 21837 22264
4 130 2692.4 5606.4 5608.6 26480 27294
5 140 2680.4 5506.2 5545.7 26290 27190
6 150 2549.2 5467.4 5390.4 26000 26432
7 160 2437.4 5323.5 5278.9 25201 25987
8 170 2367.8 5267.2 5134.5 24341 24876
9 180 2234.3 5145.5 5012.4 23456 23763

11
 10 190 2156.7 4968.7 4943.1 22678 22945
11 200 2045.9 4834.9 4801.9 21122 21794

Graph:

Applied load Vs Eigen Frequecy

80000
70000
Eigen Frequency

60000
50000
40000
30000
20000
10000
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 91011
applied load

Series1 Series2 Series3 Series4 Series5 Series6

Figure 12.14: Applied load Vs Eigen frequency

References

[1] S. Smith, "Circular bimorph plates," Science Direct, 1992. [Online].

Available:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0041624X12001382#p
review-section-references. [Accessed 14 02 2022].
[2] Gubler, "Piezoelectric Sheets & Plates," Piezo.com, 2020. [Online]. Available:
https://piezo.com/collections/piezo-sheets- plates?
_=pf&pf_t_quantity=Quantity 1. [Accessed 17 02 2022].

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