This dissertation addresses the problem of modeling the excitation of laminated composite beams by piezoelectric patches bonded or embedded in the structure. This work has been motivated by applications in the field of smart structures and materials. In particular, attention is paid to the electromechanical response in the high-frequency range. An attempt is made to evaluate the capabilities of different laminate theories in the medium and high-frequency ranges, where traditional models, such as the Classical (Bernouli-Euler) or First Order Shear Deformation (Timoshenko) theories, fail to provide accurate assessments of the structural dynamic response. Also, at these frequency ranges, conventional approaches to model the piezoelectric excitation via equivalent forces and bending moments, usually resulting from static analysis, are no longer satisfactory. Three different laminate theories are investigated: Classical, First Order Shear Deformation, and Reddy’s Layerwise theories. In the frequency domain, the governing electro-elastodynamic equations are written in a common state space formulation. A general method of solution is presented where the impedance matrix for the actuator is analytically evaluated. Comparisons are also made with numerical models obtained from a commercial finite element code.