Abstract: Based on the first-order shear deformation theory, dynamic instability of finite-lengt h symmetr ical laminated cylindrical shells and panels sandwiched between piezoelectric materials with simply supported boundary conditions is analyzed under the action of electr ic field and two-way per iodic compression. The first instability region byapplying the unimodel approximation method is derived. Several mode shapes are selected to explain the effects oft he piezoelectricity of materials, geometric parameters of shells as well as loading form on instability regions. The results show t hat stiffness and loads mainly decide the instability r egion of this sort of laminated piezoelectric structure,but the influence of the electric field and piezoelectric effect is puny.

Key words: dynamic instability, piezoelectric material, laminated shell, first order shear deformation theory, Mathieu’s equation