Abstract <p>Shape memory polymers (SMPs) and lead zirconate titanate (PZT) have unique properties in intelligent structures. PZT/SMP composites, integrating their advantages, show broad application prospects. However, research on accurately characterizing their electromechanical coupling performance is lacking. In this paper, a mechanical model containing kinematic and material parameter equations is established to study the electromechanical coupling (EMC) performance of PZT/SMP composite beams. Based on constitutive equations of the composite, combined with Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and Hamilton’s principle, considering kinetic energy, strain energy, external force work, and electric field work, the kinematic equations are established. By integrating material parameter equations of SMP with composite mechanics theory and considering transversely isotropic characteristics of PZT, the material parameter equations are developed. Taking a simply supported beam as example, the constructed model was used to solve and conduct simulation analysis on it. The force-electrical response characteristics of the composite beam under different PZT particles volume fractions were thoroughly investigated, as well as the EMC performance between its piezoelectric effect and viscoelastic mechanical behavior. The research results indicate that the changes in the viscoelastic mechanical behavior of the composite beam are basically synchronized with the changes in the piezoelectric effect. In addition, when the volume fraction of PZT particles increases, the improvement amplitude of the mechanical properties of the composite beam is greater than that of the piezoelectric properties. Notably, during this process, the viscous deformation rate of the composite beam decreases, while its deformation amplitude remains basically stable. This study provides a solid theoretical support for the design and analysis of intelligent structures based on PZT/SMP.</p>