This work deals with the actuation studies on strip-like smart composite beams in a completely nonlinear framework. Non-classical nonlinearities which are specific to such beams are captured using Variational Asymptotic Method (VAM) and the effects of such nonlinearities on the actuation response are studied. Closed form solution is obtained for nonlinear electro-mechanical beam constitutive law which is then combined with geometrically nonlinear one dimensional (1-D) theory to predict the static and dynamic actuation characteristics of smart composite beams subjected to applied actuation field. It is observed that the nonlinearities indeed affect the actuation behaviour and thus have to be taken into account while designing such smart structures for actuation applications. Towards the end, the concept of employing such smart structures as flapping wings is proposed which would result in self-actuating piezo-composite flapping wings for Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAV).
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