Bounds for effective elastic moduli of inhomogeneous solid bodies

In connection with the extensive use of various kinds of inhomogeneous materials (glass, carbon and boron reinforced plastics, cermets, concrete, reinforced materials, etc.) in technology, there arises a need to calculate the elastic properties of such systems. Here in each case it is necessary to work out specific methods for finding both elastic fields and effective moduli. Since, as a rule, such methods do not take into account the character of distribution of inhomogeneities in space, which is reflected on the form of the central moment functions [1], they can be referred to a single class and, consequently, can be obtained by a common method [2], In the given paper, by means of the method of solution of stochastic problems for microinhomogeneous solid bodies proposed in the work of the author [2], we find elastic fields and effective moduli in an arbitrary approximation. Depending on the choice of parameters, the latter form bounds within which there lie the exact values of the effective moduli. It is shown that the conditions used earlier for finding these parameters [3] are not the best ones. The effective elastic moduli of an inhomogeneous medium are calculated, and bounds, narrower than the bounds formed in [3], are found for them.Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Mekhaniki i Tekhniki, No. 5, pp. 144–150, September–October, 1973.     

The boundaries of the effective elastic moduli for inhomogeneous solids

The calculation of the effective elastic moduli of inhomogeneous solids, which connect the stresses and strains averaged for the material, is accompanied by certain mathematical difficulties owing to correlation relationships of arbitrary orders. Neglect of correlation relationships leads to average elastic moduli, where averaging according to Voigt and Reuss establishes boundaries containing the effective elastic moduli [1]. Approximate values of the latter can be found by taking into account the correlation relationships of the second order in both calculation schemes [2, 3]. Another method of evaluating the true moduli consists of narrowing the boundaries of Voigt and Reuss on the basis of model representations [4-6]. The approximate effective elastic moduli for a series of polycrystals with various common-angle values are presented in [7]. An analysis of the effect of the correlation relationships between the grains of a mechanical mixture of isotropic components on the effective elastic moduli is carried out in [8], although in all the papers just mentioned the use of correlative corrections to narrow the range of elastic moduli is not investigated. Below it is shown that the calculation of the correlation corrections in the second approximation allows the range for the effective moduli to be narrowed.     

Generation of ring-shaped optical vortices in dissipative media by inhomogeneous effective diffusion

Nonlinear Dynamics - By means of systematic simulations, we demonstrate generation of a variety of ring-shaped optical vortices (OVs) from a two-dimensional input with embedded vorticity, in a...     

Rigorous bounds on the effective moduli of composites and inhomogeneous bodies with negative-stiffness phases

We review the theoretical bounds on the effective properties of linear elastic inhomogeneous solids (including composite materials) in the presence of constituents having non-positive-definite elastic moduli (so-called negative-stiffness phases). Using arguments of Hill and Koiter, we show that for statically stable bodies the classical displacement-based variational principles for Dirichlet and Neumann boundary problems hold but that the dual variational principle for traction boundary problems does not apply. We illustrate our findings by the example of a coated spherical inclusion whose stability conditions are obtained from the variational principles. We further show that the classical Voigt upper bound on the linear elastic moduli in multi-phase inhomogeneous bodies and composites applies and that it imposes a stability condition: overall stability requires that the effective moduli do not surpass the Voigt upper bound. This particularly implies that, while the geometric constraints among constituents in a composite can stabilize negative-stiffness phases, the stabilization is insufficient to allow for extreme overall static elastic moduli (exceeding those of the constituents). Stronger bounds on the effective elastic moduli of isotropic composites can be obtained from the Hashin–Shtrikman variational inequalities, which are also shown to hold in the presence of negative stiffness.     

Effective elastic moduli of inhomogeneous solids by embedded cell model

An embedded cell model is presented to obtain the effective elastic moduli for three-dimensional two-phase composites which is an exact analytic formula without any simplified approximation and can be expressed in an explicit form. For the different cells such as spherical inclusions and cracks surrounded by sphere and oblate ellipsoidal matrix, the effective elastic moduli are evaluated and the results are compared with those from various micromechanics models. These results show that the present model is direct, simple and efficient to deal with three-dimensional two-phase composites. The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 19704100) and the National Natural Science Foundation of Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. KJ951-1-201)     

On estimation methods for effective moduli of microcracked solids

Summary  Most of the conventional methods for estimating the overall elastic moduli of microcracked solids are defined based on the concept of effective medium or effective field. The formal similarity of these methods is examined in this paper. A one-to-one correspondence relation exists between the effective medium methods and the effective field methods in the sense that they yield identical results. In addition to the conventional estimation techniques, any other number of such approaches may be constructed by appropriately specifying the effective matrix compliance (or stiffness) tensor and the effective stress (or strain) field which a microcrack is assumed to be subjected to. To generate continuous spectra of new methods for estimating the effective elastic moduli, two simple and straightforward approaches are proposed, which contain one or two adjustable parameters in order to yield results of good accuracy. The discussion in this paper can be extended to other kinds of heterogeneous materials. Received 4 October 2000; accepted for publication 30 January 2001     

On wave propagation in inhomogeneous elastic media

Wave propagation in an inhomogeneous elastic rod or slab is considered. The governing equations are written in a matrix form and transformations are sought which reduce the system to a form associated with the wave equation. Integration of the system is then immediate. It is shown that such reduction may be achieved subject to a function involving the density and elastic parameters of the material adopting certain multi-parameter forms. These parameters are available for fitting to the behaviour of a variety of inhomogeneous elastic materials. A specific initial boundary value problem is solved by utilising the present method.     

The effective moduli of composite reinforced by spherical coating particles

1.IntroductionThecompositereinforcedbysphericalparticlesisanilllportantengilleel-lugmaterial.Itiswidelyusedinvariousfieldsuchasaviationandspaceflight.Withl'egardtoitsefttctivemodulusproblenl,maily1llodelsandmethodswereproposedillpilotyeal's.Somethed.eticalpredictionlbrnlulaehavebeenobtailledtitpresent,whicharequiteinagreementwithexpel.imelltalresultslll.FIowcver,becausedemandingl'orcompositeincllglneeri11gtlpplicationbecomeslargel'daybyday,theSurftlcecoatillgofreinforcednlatel.iLtlincomposit…     

Effective elastic moduli of an inhomogeneous medium with cracks

In the present paper, the effective elastic moduli of an inhomogeneous medium with cracks are derived and obtained by taking into account its microstructural properties which involve the shape, size and distribution of cracks and the interaction between cracks. Numerical results for the periodic microstructure of different dimensions are presented. From the results obtained, it can be found that the distribution of cracks has a significant effect on the effective elastic moduli of the material. The project supported by the National Education Committee for Doctor     

Effective elastic moduli of granular media

Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Mekhaniki i Tekhnicheskoi Fiziki, No. 1, pp. 91–96, January–February, 1990.     

Calculation of the effective moduli of alloys

Variations of the effective moduli of tin-lead alloys are studied. The microstructure of an alloy, its regularity, and the concentration of tin inclusions are taken into account. The relation between the geometric characteristics of an alloy and the size of its representative elementary volume is also studied.     

Three-dimensional anisotropic and inhomogeneous elastic media matrix analysis for small and large displacements

Summary A matrix displacement technique for analysing three-dimensional anisotropic and inhomogeneous elastic media is given for small and large displacements. The body is idealized by an assembly of finite tetrahedra. Using the novel device of natural stresses, loads and elemental stiffness, concise expressions for stiffness of the complete system are set up. Hence small displacement solution is obtained. Extension to large displacements proceeds via an incremental technique and an additional geometrical stiffness simulating effects of change of geometry on equilibrium conditions. It is proved that geometrical stiffness of tetrahedron derives from equivalent six-bar framework. Joint presence of loads and thermal actions is included.Vollständigc Fassung, mit Ausnahme der Anwendungen, des Vortrages des Verfassers beim XI. Internationalen Kongreß für Mechanik, München, August–September 1964.     

Effective elastic moduli of composites reinforced by particle or fiber with an inhomogeneous interphase

The solution of the strain energy change of an infinite matrix due to the presence of one spherical particle or cylindrical fiber surrounded by an inhomogeneous interphase is the basis of solving effective elastic moduli of corresponding composites based on various micromechanics models. In order to find out the strain energy change, the composite sphere or cylinder, i.e., the spherical particle or cylindrical fiber together with its interphase, is replaced by an effective homogeneous particle or fiber. Independent governing differential equations for each modulus of the effective particle or fiber are derived by extending the replacement method [J. Mech. Phys. Solids 12 (1964) 199]. As far as the strain energy changes of the infinite matrix subjected to various far-field stress systems are concerned, the present model is simple. Meanwhile, FEM analysis is carried out for a verification, which shows that the model can lead to rather accurate results for most practical interphases. Besides, to check the validity of the model further when the interactions among composite cylinders exist, the two problems of an infinite matrix containing two composite cylinders and the effective moduli of composites with the equilateral triangular distribution of composite cylinders are analyzed using FEM. The FEM results show that the model is still rather accurate, especially for the case of interphase properties varying between those of fiber and matrix. Therefore, composite spheres or cylinders are assumed as the effective homogeneous particles or fibers and simple expressions of the effective moduli of composites containing the composite spheres or cylinders are obtained. Furthermore, the present model is compared with some existing models that are based on very complicated derivations.     

On the theory of plane inhomogeneous waves in anisotropic elastic media

In the theory of plane inhomogeneous elastic waves, the complex wave vector constituted by two real vectors in a given plane may be described with the aid of two complex scalar parameters. Either of those parameters may be taken as a free one in the characteristic condition assigned to the wave equation. This alternative underlies the two fundamental approaches in the theory, namely, one associated with the Stroh eigenvalue problem and the other with the generalized Christoffel eigenvalue problem. The two approaches are identical insofar as a partial nondegenerate wave solution (partial mode) is concerned, but they differ in the fundamental solution (wave packet) assembling, and their dissimilarity is also revealed in the presence of degeneracies, which may involve either of the two governing parameters or both of them. Therefore, use of both approaches is essential for studying the degeneracy phenomenon in the theory of inhomogeneous waves. The criteria for different types of degeneracy, related to a double eigenvalue of the Stroh matrix or the Christoffel matrix and at the same time to a repeated root of the characteristic condition, are formulated by appeal to the matrix algebra and to the theory of polynomial equations. On this basis, dimensions of the manifolds, associated with degeneracy of different types in the space of variables, are established for elastic media of unrestricted anisotropy. The relation to the boundary-value problems is discussed.     

Double porosity in fluid-saturated elastic media: deriving effective parameters by hierarchical homogenization of static problem

We propose a model of complex poroelastic media with periodic or locally periodic structures observed at microscopic and mesoscopic scales. Using a two-level homogenization procedure, we derive a model coherent with the Biot continuum, describing effective properties of such a hierarchically structured poroelastic medium. The effective material coefficients can be computed using characteristic responses of the micro- and mesostructures which are solutions of local problems imposed in representative volume elements describing the poroelastic medium at the two levels of heterogeneity. In the paper, we discus various combinations of the interface between the micro- and mesoscopic porosities, influence of the fluid compressibility, or solid incompressibility. Gradient of porosity is accounted for when dealing with locally periodic structures. Derived formulae for computing the poroelastic material coefficients characterize not only the steady-state responses with static fluid, but are relevant also for quasistatic problems. The model is applicable in geology, or in tissue biomechanics, in particular for modeling canalicular-lacunar porosity of bone which can be characterized at several levels.