ABSTRACT
The paper presents the local formulation of 3D-based hierarchical models for adaptive modeling and adaptive finite element analysis of piezoelectric structures. The electro-mechanical description of the structures is complex. This means that they can be divided into domains described within different mechanical and dielectric theories. Such theories are coupled through the piezoelectric constants. Such combined piezoelectric models form a hierarchy of models. The component hierarchy of mechanical models includes the three-dimensional elasticity, hierarchical shell models, first order-shell model, solid-to-shell and shell-to-shell transition models. The second component hierarchy of electric models consists of the three-dimensional dielectricity model and hierarchical dielectric models. Furthermore, the piezoelectric structures under considerationmay be composed of different geometrical parts, i.e. three-dimensional, symmetric-thickness and transition types. Division into geometrical parts is independent of the model domains.
