Closed-form solutions for piezomagnetic inhomogeneities embedded in a non-piezomagnetic matrix

This paper presents two different analytical methods to investigate the magneto-mechanical coupling effect for piezomagnetic inhomogeneities embedded in a non-piezomagnetic matrix. First, the magnetoelastic solution is expressed in terms of magnetoelastic Green's function that can be decoupled into elastic Green's function and magnetic Green's function. Second, the problem is analyzed by the equivalent inclusion method, and then, the formulation of the inhomogeneity problem can be decoupled into an elastic problem and a magnetic inhomogeneity problem connected by some eigenstrain and eigenmagnetic fields. For the piezomagnetic composites with a non-piezomagnetic matrix, these two solutions are completely equivalent each other though they are obtained by means of two different methods. Moreover, based upon the unified energy method, the effective magnetoelastic moduli of the composites are expressed explicitly in terms of phase properties and volume fractions. Then the dilute and Mori–Tanaka schemes are discussed, respectively. Finally, the calculations are made to predict the effective magnetoelastic moduli and illustrate the performance of each model.     

Effect of pore shape on effective porothermoelastic properties of isotropic rocks

The present work is devoted to the determination of the macroscopic poroelastic and porothermoelastic properties of geomaterials or rock-like composites constituted by an isotropic matrix with embedded ellipsoidal inhomogeneities and/or pores randomly oriented. By considering the solution of a single ellipsoidal inhomogeneity in the homogenization problem it is possible to observe the significant influence of the shape of inhomogeneities on the effective porothermoelastic properties. In the particular case of microscopic and macroscopic isotropic behaviors, a closed form solution based on analytical integrate of the Eshelby solution for the single ellipsoidal inhomogeneity can be obtained for the randomly oriented distribution. This result completes the well known solutions in the limiting cases of spherical and penny shape inhomogeneities. Based on recent works on porous rock-like composites such as shales or argillites, an application of the developed solution to a two-level microporomechanics model is presented. The microporosity in homogenized at the first level, and multiple solid mineral phase inclusions are added at the second level. The overall porothermoelastic coefficients are estimated in the particular context of heterogeneous solid matrix. Numerical results are presented for data representative of isotropic rock-like composites.     

Anti-plane interaction of a crack and reinforced elliptic hole in an infinite matrix

Anti-plane interaction of a crack with a coated elliptical hole embedded in an infinite matrix under a remote uniform shear load is considered in this paper. Analytical treatment of the present problem is laborious due to the presence of material inhomogeneities and geometric discontinuities. Nevertheless, based on the technique of conformal mapping and the method of analytical continuation in conjunction with the alternating technique, general expressions for displacements and stresses in the coated layer and the matrix are derived explicitly in closed form. By applying the existing complex function solutions for a dislocation, the integral equations for a line crack are formulated and mode-III stress intensity factors are obtained numerically. Some numerical examples are given to demonstrate the effects of material inhomogeneity and geometric discontinuities on mode-III stress intensity factors.     

Contact analysis in the presence of an ellipsoidal inhomogeneity within a half space

Many materials contain inhomogeneities or inclusions that may greatly affect their mechanical properties. Such inhomogeneities are for example encountered in the case of composite materials or materials containing precipitates. This paper presents an analysis of contact pressure and subsurface stress field for contact problems in the presence of anisotropic elastic inhomogeneities of ellipsoidal shape. Accounting for any orientation and material properties of the inhomogeneities are the major novelties of this work. The semi-analytical method proposed to solve the contact problem is based on Eshelby’s formalism and uses 2D and 3D Fast Fourier Transforms to speed up the computation. The time and memory necessary are greatly reduced in comparison with the classical finite element method. The model can be seen as an enrichment technique where the enrichment fields from the heterogeneous solution are superimposed to the homogeneous problem. The definition of complex geometries made by combination of inclusions can easily be achieved. A parametric analysis on the effect of elastic properties and geometrical features of the inhomogeneity (size, depth and orientation) is proposed. The model allows to obtain the contact pressure distribution – disturbed by the presence of inhomogeneities – as well as subsurface and matrix/inhomogeneity interface stresses. It is shown that the presence of an inclusion below the contact surface affects significantly the contact pressure and subsurfaces stress distributions when located at a depth lower than 0.7 times the contact radius. The anisotropy directions and material data are also key elements that strongly affect the elastic contact solution. In the case of normal contact between a spherical indenter and an elastic half space containing a single inhomogeneity whose center is located straight below the contact center, the normal stress at the inhomogeneity/matrix interface is mostly compressive. Finally when the axes of the ellipsoidal inclusion do not coincide with the contact problem axes, the pressure distribution is not symmetrical.     

Analysis of a screw dislocation inside an elliptical inhomogeneity in piezoelectric solids

This paper formulates and examines the electro-elastic coupling effects resulting from the presence of a screw dislocation inside an elliptical piezoelectric inhomogeneity embedded in an infinite piezoelectric matrix. The general solution to this problem is obtained by conformal mapping and Laurent series expansion of the corresponding complex potentials. The appropriate expressions of the field potentials and the field components are given explicitly in both the inhomogeneity and the surrounding matrix using a perturbation technique. The internal energy and the force on the dislocation are computed and several specific examples are provided to illustrate the validity and versatility of the developed formulations.     

Electroelastic interaction between a piezoelectric screw dislocation and a confocal elliptic blunt crack with elliptical inhomogeneity

The electroelastic interaction between a piezoelectric screw dislocation and an elliptical inhomogeneity containing a confocal blunt crack under infinite longitudinal shear and in-plane electric field is investigated. Using the sectionally holomorphic function theory, Cauchy singular integral, singularity analysis of complex functions and theory of Rieman boundary problem, the explicit series solution of stress field is obtained when the screw dislocation is located in inhomogeneity. The intervention law of the interaction between blunt crack and screw dislocation in inhomogeneity is discussed. The analytical expressions of generalized stress and strain field of inhomogeneity are calculated, while the image force, field intensity factors of blunt crack are also presented. Moreover, a new matrix expression of the energy release rate and generalized strain energy density (SED) are deduced. With the size variation of blunt crack, the results can be reduced to the case of the interaction between a piezoelectric screw dislocation and a line crack in inhomogeneity. Numerical analysis are then conducted to reveal the effects of the dislocation location, the size of inhomogeneity and blunt crack and the applied load on the image force, energy release rate and strain energy density. The influence of dislocation on energy release rate and strain energy density is also revealed.     

The second Eshelby problem and its solvability

It is still a challenge to clarify the dependence of overall elastic properties of heterogeneous materials on the microstructures of non-elliposodal inhomogeneities (cracks, pores, foreign particles). From the theory of elasticity, the formulation of the perturbance elastic fields, coming from a non-ellipsoidal inhomogeneity embedded in an infinitely extended material with remote constant loading, inevitably involve one or more integral equations. Up to now, due to the mathematical difficulty, there is almost no explicit analytical solution obtained except for the ellipsoidal inhomogeneity. In this paper, we point out the impossibility to transform this inhomogeneity problem into a conventional Eshelby problem by the equivalent inclusion method even if the eigenstrain is chosen to be non-uniform. We also build up an equivalent model, called the second Eshelby problem, to investigate the perturbance stress. It is probably a better template to make use of the profound methods and results of conventional Eshelby problems of non-ellipsoidal inclusions.     

Evaluation of the effective elastic moduli of tetragonal fiber-reinforced composites based on Maxwell’s concept of equivalent inhomogeneity

Maxwell’s concept of an equivalent inhomogeneity is employed for evaluating the effective elastic properties of tetragonal, fiber-reinforced, unidirectional composites with isotropic phases. The microstructure induced anisotropic effective elastic properties of the material are obtained by comparing the far-field solutions for the problem of a finite cluster of isotropic, circular cylindrical fibers embedded in an infinite isotropic matrix with that for the problem of a single, tetragonal, circular cylindrical equivalent inhomogeneity embedded in the same isotropic matrix. The former solutions precisely account for the interactions between all fibers in the cluster and for their geometrical arrangement. The solutions to several example problems that involve periodic (square arrays) composites demonstrate that the approach adequately captures microstructure induced anisotropy of the materials and provides reasonably accurate estimates of their effective elastic properties.     

The interaction between a screw dislocation and a circular inhomogeneity in gradient elasticity

The interaction between a screw dislocation and a circular inhomogeneity in gradient elasticity is investigated. The screw dislocation is located inside either the inhomogeneity or the matrix. By using the Fourier transform method, closed analytical solutions are obtained when the inhomogeneity and the matrix have the same gradient coefficient. The explicit expressions of image forces exerted on screw dislocations are derived. The motion of the appointed screw dislocation and its equilibrium positions are discussed. The results show that the classical singularity is eliminated. Especially, for the case of a tiny inhomogeneity, the relation of dislocations and inhomogeneities become quite different. The screw dislocation may be attracted by the stiff inhomogeneity and repelled by the soft inhomogeneity when it tends to the interface. So there is an unstable equilibrium position when a dislocation tends to a tiny stiff inhomogeneity and there is a stable equilibrium position when a dislocation tends to a tiny soft inhomogeneity.     

Equivalent inhomogeneity method for evaluating the effective elastic properties of unidirectional multi-phase composites with surface/interface effects

A new technique is presented for evaluating the effective properties of linearly elastic, multi-phase unidirectional composites. Various effects on the fiber/matrix interfaces (perfect bond, homogeneously imperfect interfaces, uniform interphase layers) are allowed. The analysis of nano-composite materials based on the Gurtin and Murdoch model of material surface is also included. The basic idea of the approach is to construct a circular inhomogeneity in an infinite plane whose effects on the displacements and stresses at distant points are the same as those of a finite cluster of inhomogeneities (fibers of circular cross-section) arranged in a pattern representative of the composite material in question. The elastic properties of the equivalent inhomogeneity then define the effective elastic properties of the material. The volume ratio of the composite material is found after the size of the equivalent circular inhomogeneity is defined in the course of the solution procedure. This procedure is based on a semi-analytical solution of a problem of an infinite plane containing a cluster of non-overlapping circular inhomogeneities subjected to loading at infinity. The method works equally well for periodic and random composites and – importantly – eliminates the necessity for averaging either stresses or strains. New results for nano-composite materials are presented.     

A screw dislocation near one open inhomogeneity and another closed inhomogeneity both permitting constant interior stresses

We prove that the interior stresses within both a non-parabolic open inhomogeneity and another interacting non-elliptical closed inhomogeneity can still remain constant when the matrix is simultaneously under the action of a screw dislocation and uniform remote anti-plane stresses. The constancy of interior stresses is realized through the construction of a conformal mapping function for the doubly connected domain occupied by the surrounding matrix. The mapping function is endowed with the info...     

Elastic fields of interacting elliptic inhomogeneities

This paper presents a method for the calculation of two-dimensional elastic fields in a solid containing any number of inhomogeneities under arbitrary far field loadings. The method called pseudo-dislocations method, is illustrated for the solution of interacting elliptic inhomogeneities. It reduces the interacting inhomogeneities problem to a set of linear algebraic equations. Numerical results are presented for a variety of elliptic inhomogeneity arrangements, including the special cases of elliptic holes, cracks and circular inhomogeneities. All these complicated problems can be solved with high accuracy and efficiency.     

Analysis of a partially debonded elliptic inhomogeneity in piezoelectric materials

A generalized solution was obtained for the partially debonded elliptic inhomogeneity problem in piezoelectric materials under antiplane shear and inplane electric loading using the complex variable method. It was assumed that the interfacial debonding induced an electrically impermeable crack at the interface. The principle of conformal transformation and analytical continuation were employed to reduce the formulation into two Riemann-Hilbert problems. This enabled the determination of the complex potentials in the inhomogeneity and the matrix by means of series of expressions. The resulting solution was then used to obtain the electroeiastic fields and the energy release rate involving the debonding at the inhomogeneity-matrix interface. The validity and versatility of the current general solution have been demonstrated through some specific examples such as the problems of perfectly bonded elliptic inhomogeneity , totally debonded elliptic inhomogeneity, partially debonded rigid and conducting elliptic inhomogeneity, and partially debonded circular inhomogeneity.     

On the anti-plane shear of an elliptic nano inhomogeneity

The elastic field of an elliptic nano inhomogeneity embedded in an infinite matrix under anti-plane shear is studied with the complex variable method. The interface stress effects of the nano inhomogeneity are accounted for with the Gurtin–Murdoch model. The conformal mapping method is then applied to solve the formulated boundary value problem. The obtained numerical results are compared with the existing closed form solutions for a circular nano inhomogeneity and a traditional elliptic inhomogeneity under anti-plane. It shows that the proposed semi-analytic method is effective and accurate. The stress fields inside the inhomogeneity and matrix are then systematically studied for different interfacial and geometrical parameters. It is found that the stress field inside the elliptic nano inhomogeneity is no longer uniform due to the interface effects. The shear stress distributions inside the inhomogeneity and matrix are size dependent when the size of the inhomogeneity is on the order of nanometers. The numerical results also show that the interface effects are highly influenced by the local curvature of the interface. The elastic field around an elliptic nano hole is also investigated in this paper. It is found that the traction free boundary condition breaks down at the elliptic nano hole surface. As the aspect ratio of the elliptic hole increases, it can be seen as a Mode-III blunt crack. Even for long blunt cracks, the surface effects can still be significant around the blunt crack tip. Finally, the equivalence between the uniform eigenstrain inside the inhomogeneity and the remote loading is discussed.     

A New Method for an Inhomogeneity with Stepwise Graded Interphase under Thermomechanical Loadings

The solution for a circular inhomogeneity embedded in an infinite elastic matrix with a multilayered interphase plays a fundamental role in many practical and theoretical problems. Therefore, improved analysis methods for this problem are of great interest. In this paper, a new procedure is presented to obtain the exact stress fields within the inhomogeneity and the matrix under thermomechanical loadings, without the need of solving the full multiphase composite problem. With this short-cut method, the problem is reduced to a single linear algebraic equation and two coupled linear algebraic equations which determine the only three real coefficients of the stress field within the inhomogeneity. In particular, the average stresses within the inhomogeneity can be calculated directly from the three real coefficients. Further, the other three unknown real coefficients associated with the stress field in the matrix can be determined subsequently. Hence, the influence of the stepwise graded interphase on the stress fields is manifested by its effect on the six real coefficients. All these results hold for stepwise graded interphase composed of any number of interphase layers. Several examples serve to illustrate the method and its advantages over other existing approaches. The explicit solutions are used to study the design of harmonic elastic inclusions, and the effect of a compliant interphase layer on thermal-mismatch induced residual stresses. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Two non-elliptical inhomogeneities with internal uniform stresses interacting with a mode-III crack

We use the method of Green's functions to analyze an inverse problem in which we aim to identify the shapes of two non-elliptical elastic inhomogeneities, embedded in an infinite matrix subjected to uniform remote stress, which enclose uniform stress distributions despite their interaction with a finite mode-III crack. The problem is reduced to an equivalent Cauchy singular integral equation, which is solved numerically using the Gauss–Chebyshev integration formula. The shapes of the two inhomogeneities and the corresponding location of the crack can then be determined by identifying a conformal mapping composed in part of a real density function obtained from the solution of the aforementioned singular integral equation. Several examples are given to demonstrate the solution.     

Energy density and release rate study of an elliptic-arc interface crack in piezoelectric solid under anti-plane shear

The anti-plane problem of an elliptical inhomogeneity with an interfacial crack in piezoelectric materials is investigated. The system is subjected to arbitrary singularity loads (point charge and anti-plane concentrated force) and remote anti-plane mechanical and in-plane electrical loads. Using the complex variable method, the explicit series form solutions for the complex potentials in the matrix and the inclusion regions are derived. The electroelastic field intensity factors, the corresponding energy release rates and the generalized strain energy density at the cracks tips are then provided. The influence of the aspect ratio of the ellipse, the crack geometry and the electromechanical coupling coefficient on the energy release rate and the strain energy density is discussed and shown in graphs. The results indicate that the energy release rate increases with increment of the aspect ratio of the ellipse and the influence of electromechanical coupling coefficient on the energy release rate is significant. The strain energy density decreases with increment of the aspect radio of the ellipse and it is always positive for the cases discussed. The energy release rate, however, can be negative when both mechanical and fields are applied.     

Eshelby's problem of non-elliptical inclusions

The Eshelby problem consists in determining the strain field of an infinite linearly elastic homogeneous medium due to a uniform eigenstrain prescribed over a subdomain, called inclusion, of the medium. The salient feature of Eshelby's solution for an ellipsoidal inclusion is that the strain tensor field inside the latter is uniform. This uniformity has the important consequence that the solution to the fundamental problem of determination of the strain field in an infinite linearly elastic homogeneous medium containing an embedded ellipsoidal inhomogeneity and subjected to remote uniform loading can be readily deduced from Eshelby's solution for an ellipsoidal inclusion upon imposing appropriate uniform eigenstrains. Based on this result, most of the existing micromechanics schemes dedicated to estimating the effective properties of inhomogeneous materials have been nevertheless applied to a number of materials of practical interest where inhomogeneities are in reality non-ellipsoidal. Aiming to examine the validity of the ellipsoidal approximation of inhomogeneities underlying various micromechanics schemes, we first derive a new boundary integral expression for calculating Eshelby's tensor field (ETF) in the context of two-dimensional isotropic elasticity. The simple and compact structure of the new boundary integral expression leads us to obtain the explicit expressions of ETF and its average for a wide variety of non-elliptical inclusions including arbitrary polygonal ones and those characterized by the finite Laurent series. In light of these new analytical results, we show that: (i) the elliptical approximation to the average of ETF is valid for a convex non-elliptical inclusion but becomes inacceptable for a non-convex non-elliptical inclusion; (ii) in general, the Eshelby tensor field inside a non-elliptical inclusion is quite non-uniform and cannot be replaced by its average; (iii) the substitution of the generalized Eshelby tensor involved in various micromechanics schemes by the average Eshelby tensor for non-elliptical inhomogeneities is in general inadmissible.     

Stress intensity factor of an elliptical crack as influenced by a spherical inhomogeneity

The interaction between an elliptical crack and a spherical inhomogeneity embedded in a three-dimensional solid subject to uniaxial tension is investigated. Both the inhomogeneity and the solid are isotropic but have different elastic moduli. The Eshelby's equivalent inclusion method is applied together with the principle of superposition. An approximate solution for the stress intensity factor is obtained by an approach that expands the distance between the center of the crack and inhomogeneity in series. The local stress field can be increased or decreased depending on the relative modulus of the spherical inhomogeneity and matrix. If the inhomogeneity modulus is larger than that of the matrix, a reduction in the stress intensity factor prevails. Displayed numerically are results to exhibit the influence of inhomogeneity and its distance to the crack.     

Transition Matrix Method for Determining Stress Distribution of an Inhomogeneity in Elastostatic Medium

The transition matrix method has been extensively utilized to solve scattering in elastodynamic media. It is based on the reciprocity theorem, continuity of the interface boundary conditions, and applicable to arbitrary shape of inhomogeneity in systematic matrix multiplication. However, the transition matrix method has never been applied to determine stress distribution in elastostatic media. One important reason is the problem of the shortage of the basis functions of the elastostatic media that must be used to develop the transition matrix. This study investigates the required basis functions, and finds a set thereof that include Love??s special solutions of three dimensional elastostatics and three vector functions that are applicable to elastic waves. The proposed basis functions also can be adopted to derive the three significant orthogonality conditions for reciprocity at the surface of the inhomogeneity, which are useful in developing the transition matrix. The novel basis functions make the process of derivation of the T-matrix in elastostatics similar to that in elastodynamics. This process is illustrated for a spherical inhomogeneity that embedded in an elastic medium and stress patterns are compared with Goodier??s solutions, demonstrating high accuracy.