The smart composite plate subjected to a force acting at the centre of the plate shows a voltage response due to the PVDF patch bonded to the surface of the plate. The magnitude of the voltage depends on location of the element, stacking position of the ply and its orientation.

Figure 24.3 Convergence of voltage output from PVDF sensory layer

Figure 24.3 shows the normalized voltage plot with increase in number of elements. It is clear from the plot that normalized voltage has converged rapidly to a value of 0.66. It is also evident that even a smaller number of elements (coarse mesh) has produced significant voltage in the PVDF sensory patch.