Finite Element Analysis of Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting from Runway Surface

The world is crippled by an energy crisis. Such a situation sparks innovation and transformation for emerging technology. Energy harvesting is a viable approach towards generating sustainable energy. Piezoelectric energy harvesting from runway surfaces offers a potential pathway for recovering otherwise wasted mechanical energy during aircraft landing and takeoff. In this study, a finite element model is developed to investigate the electromechanical response of PZT-5H piezoelectric material embedded beneath a runway surface. A three-dimensional coupled-field simulation is performed using the finite element method to evaluate voltage generation under applied pressure loads. The model predicts a linear relationship between applied pressure (1–4 N/m2) and output voltage, with a maximum voltage of 0.078 V obtained at 4 N/m2. A theoretical extrapolation to aircraft loading conditions is presented to assess potential scalability. The results demonstrate the sensitivity of PZT-5H under compressive loading and highlight its suitability for low-power sensing and localized energy harvesting applications. The study provides a numerical framework for future optimization and experimental validation of piezoelectric runway energy harvesting systems.