Abstract
A piezoelectric element and a constrained layer damping element are combined to allow for an active constrained layer damping treatment. The development of these elements are reviewed and results are compared with the literature to insure that the elements work together. A procedure for placing patch damping treatments or other material anomalies on structures is introduced. The patch placement process uses a grid deformation procedure to realign elements with the patch boundaries. This makes the process of optimally locating the damping treatment one of continuous variables. The patch placement process is used in conjunction with the combined elements and an optimization algorithm to design both an active constrained layer damping treatment and the beam to which it is attached. (Author)