ABSTRACT
This paper compared the performance of different piezoelectric transducers, which can increase efficiency through force amplifying structure. The force amplifying coefficient k, energy density of unit ceramic volume dv and energy density of unit area ds are used to evaluate the efficiency of the transducers. The structures of Piles, Torus, Trapezoid and Bridge are discussed based on finite element analysis. Results show that the Torus and Trapezoid are hard to harvest energy because of their low force amplifying coefficient and energy density. The Piles has the highest force amplifying effect and acceptable energy density. The performance of Bridges are similar and the arch Bridge has the highest efficiency. The findings suggested that the arch Bridges structure is the optimum transducer for harvest energy from asphalt pavement.
