On the overall moduli of non-linear elastic composite materials

From the work of R. Hill on constitutive macro-variables it is known that for an inhomogeneous elastic solid under finite strain an overall elastic constitutive law may be defined. In particular, the volume average of the strain energy of the solid is a function only of the volume-averaged deformation gradient. In view of the importance of this result it is re-derived in this paper as a prelude to a discussion of composite materials. A composite material consisting of a dilute suspension of initially spherical inclusions embedded in a matrix of different material is considered. For second-order isotropic elasticity theory an expression for the overall bulk modulus of the composite material is obtained in terms of the moduli of the constituents. When the inclusions are vacuous a known result for the bulk modulus of porous materials is recovered. In certain situations the strengthening/ weakening effects of the inclusions are less pronounced in the second-order theory than in the linear theory.