The optimal structure of 1-3 piezocomposites has been determined by controlling polymer properties, ceramic volume fraction, thickness of composite and aspect ratio of the composite to maximize the TVR (transmitting voltage response), RVS (receiving voltage sensitivity) and FBW (fractional bandwidth) of underwater acoustic transducers. Influence of the design variables on the transducer performance was analyzed with equivalent circuits and the finite element method. When the piezocomposite is vibrating in a pure thickness mode, inter-pillar resonant modes are likely to occur between lattice-structured piezoceramic pillars and polymer matrix, which significantly deteriorate the performance of the piezocomposite. In this work, a new method to design the structure of the 1∼3 type piezocomposite was proposed to maximize the TVR, RVS and FBW while preventing the occurrence of the inter-pillar modes. Genetic algorithm was used in the optimal design.

With polymer properties and ceramic volume fraction as design variables, the optimal structure of 1-3 piezocomposites has been determined to maximize the thickness mode electromechanical coupling factor. When the piezocomposite vibrates in a thickeness mode, inter-pillar resonant modes are likely to occur between lattice-structured piezoceramic pillars and polymer matrix, which significantly deteriorates the performance of the piezocomposite. In this work, work, a new method to design the structure of the 1-3 type piezocomposite is proposed to maximize the thickness mode electromechanical coupling factor while preventing the occurrence of the inter- pillar modes. Genetic algorithm was used for the optimal design, and the finite element analysis method was used for the analysis of the inter-pillar mode.