Extended Locally Exact Homogenization Theory for Effective Coefficients and Localized Responses of Piezoelectric Composites

Abstract

Herein, the elasticity‐based locally exact homogenization theory (LEHT) is extended to study the effective and localized responses of piezoelectric fiber composites. Based on the Trefftz concept, coupled internal solutions for electric fields and elastic displacements are developed for repeating unit cells (RUCs) that are characterized from the composite domain. The unknown coefficients of the internal fields can be determined by imposing interfacial continuity conditions between fiber and matrix and implementing the newly proposed multiphysics periodic boundary conditions. Finally, the generalized constitutive relations are established to predict the effective coefficients. The accuracy of the proposed technique is tested by validating the present simulations against the analytical Eshelby solution and asymptotic method, classical Mori−Tanaka (M−T) model, finite element (FE)‐ and finite volume (FV)‐based methods, as well as the experimental measurement in the literature with excellent agreement. What is more, several microstructural effects, such as phase volume fraction, fiber arrangement, etc., are varied to test their effects on the piezoelectric composites at both homogenized and localized levels. Based on the presented computational efficiency, the multiphysics LEHT is encapsulated into a blackbox with input/output data constructions for easy implementation by professionals or nonprofessionals.

Hierarchical buckling of elastic fiber under transverse confinement

“…The hierarchy of buckling provides the option to customize the buckling phenomenon to achieve the functional requirements specific to certain scenarios. From a practical perspective, such buckling structures have been widely applied in electronic devices, including wearable electronics [8,9], flexible displays [10], energy devices, sensors [11], resonators, and electromagnetic wave absorbers [12][13][14][15]. By adopting a suitable buckling structure, the functionality of the devices can be further enhanced.…”

Special Issue on Theoretical and Applied Mechanics of Functional Materials and Structures

“…This special issue is aimed at further contributing to the understanding of theoretical and applied mechanics of functional materials and structures. It contains 18 accepted articles, including one review, with topics related to piezoelectric [1,2] , ferromagnetic [3,4] , ferroelastic [5] , advanced polymer [6][7][8] or polymer matrix composite [9][10][11][12] , and inhomogeneous [13] or functionally graded [14][15][16][17] materials. All aspects (theoretical, computational and experimental studies) of mechanics, from state-of-the-art fundamental research to applied research and applications in emerging technologies, are included.…”