Electric potential redistribution due to time-dependent creep in thick-walled FGPM cylinder based on Mendelson method of successive approximation

In this study, the stresses and electric potential redistributions of a cylinder made from functionally graded piezoelectric material (FGPM) are investigated. All the mechanical, thermal and piezoelectric properties are modeled as power-law distribution of volume fraction. Using the coupled electro-thermo-mechanical relations, strain-displacement relations, Maxwell and equilibrium equations are obtained including the time dependent creep strains. Creep strains are time, temperature and stress dependent, the closed form solution cannot be found for this constitutive differential equation. A semianalytical method in conjunction with the Mendelson method of successive approximation is therefore proposed for this analysis. Similar to the radial stress histories, electric potentials increase with time, because the latter is induced by the former during creep deformation of the cylinder, justifying industrial application of such a material as efficient actuators and sensors.