ATILA Finite Element Method (FEM) software facilitates the modelling and analysis of applications using piezoelectric, magnetostrictor and shape memory materials. It allows entire designs to be constructed, refined and optimized before production begins. Through a range of instructive case studies, Applications of ATILA FEM software to smart materials provides an indispensable guide to the use of this software in the design of effective products.Part one provides an introduction to ATILA FEM software, beginning with an overview of the software code. New capabilities and loss integration are discussed, before part two goes on to present case studies of finite element modelling using ATILA. The use of ATILA in finite element analysis, piezoelectric polarization, time domain analysis of piezoelectric devices and the design of ultrasonic motors is considered, before piezo-composite and photonic crystal applications are reviewed. The behaviour of piezoelectric single crystals for sonar and thermal analysis in piezoelectric and magnetostrictive materials is also discussed, before a final reflection on the use of ATILA in modelling the damping of piezoelectric structures and the behaviour of single crystal devices.With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, Applications of ATILA FEM software to smart materials is a key reference work for all those involved in the research, design, development and application of smart materials, including electrical and mechanical engineers, academics and scientists working in piezoelectrics, magenetostrictors and shape memory materials. Provides an indispensable guide to the use of ATILA FEM software in the design of effective products Discusses new capabilities and loss integration of the software code, before presenting case studies of finite element modelling using ATILA Discusses the behaviour of piezoelectric single crystals for sonar and thermal analysis in piezoelectric and magnetostrictive materials, before a reflection on the use of ATILA in modelling the damping of piezoelectric structures

For underwater applications and manufacture of sonar for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV), large areas of piezoelectric materials with very good electromechanical properties are often needed. Piezoelectric single crystals (typically the compositions PMN-PT or PZN-PT) are high-performance materials (high yields), but are difficult to manufacture in large areas while maintaining homogeneous properties. This study on the behavior of piezoelectric single crystals will be conducted with the use of a finite-element code (ATILA) which was developed at ISEN in collaboration with the French Ministry of Defense. The results confirm the good fit between the models and experimental results after a phase of optimization.

This chapter describes time domain analysis capabilities of ATILA which might be useful in evaluating acoustic wave propagation and reflection by transducers, transient signal response of sensors, and overshoot and ringing behaviors for actuators. Three examples from different application fields were selected to show how time domain analysis can be achieved in ATILA, focusing on an analytical approach in simulation modeling, decisions based on transient module parameters, and interpretation of time domain results.

The finite element method and its application to smart transducer systems are introduced in this chapter. The fundamentals of finite element analysis are introduced first. Then, the section ‘Defining the equations for the problem’ treats how to integrate the piezoelectric constitutive equations, and ‘Application of the finite element method’ describes the meshing. The last section ‘FEM simulation examples’ introduces six cases; multilayer actuator, Π-type linear ultrasonic motor, windmill ultrasonic motor, metal tube ultrasonic motor, piezoelectric transformer, and ‘cymbal’ underwater transducer, which includes most of the basic capabilities of ATILA FEM code.

The vibration and sound radiation of structures, like plates or shells stiffened by frames or ribs, is a problem of interest in the analysis of aircraft and marine structures. If the ribs are uniformly spaced, then the composite structure is spatially periodic. Many authors have proposed solutions for stiffened infinite shells with simple shapes. But, when the shape is more complicated, such as for a submarine or an aircraft, the numerical methods are not appropriate and the finite element method seems justified with finite element characterizing the stiffeners. In this chapter, from the theory of shells with the complicating effects of anisotropy due to the stiffeners, one finite element is presented. After, the presentation of the boundary conditions on the shell, a first validation will be realized on circular cylindrical shells having tranverse stiffeners. The modes of vibration obtained from the new shell element are compared with analytical and experimental results. The second validation concerns an elastic target with a stiffened shell. The comparison is made between the use of the new shell element and a 3D analysis.

Traditional transmitting materials, such as PZT-8, exhibit some non-linearity in stress and temperature, but predicting performance under high stress and higher temperatures can be achieved by taking advantage of the weak coupling. One needs to predict the performance of these devices by considering the highly non-linear behaviour with a fully non-linear solution procedure in the ATILA finite element software package. The aim of this chapter is to analyze the behaviour of simple devices submitted to a harmonic analysis. Analytical models are developed and compared with the numerical analysis via the ATILA code for several devices. ATILA does not have a non-linear solver yet. ATILA results are obtained with up-dated properties.

Piezoelectric ultrasonic motors offer many advantages such as high retention being very controllable, high torque at low speed, light weight, simple structure and no electromagnetic field induction compared with the conventional electromagnetic motors. These advantages have helped to expand the application fields where precise position control and rotational/linear motions can be utilized. One of the most remarkable features of the compact ultrasonic motor is that it has higher design flexibility compared with that of the conventional electromagnetic motors whose efficiency significantly decreases with miniaturization. In order to build a novel ultrasonic motor for a specific purpose, it is essential to examine the structural design and the electrical and mechanical properties prior to preparing a real motor. The ATILA simulation tool offers useful information related to the performance for a designed piezoelectric ultrasonic motor. A real motor can therefore easily be manufactured with minimized trial and error. In this chapter, two types of tiny motors are presented, including the process of ATILA simulation and the fabrication of ultrasonic piezoelectric motors.