Effective properties evaluation for smart composite materials with imperfect fiber-matrix adhesion

摘要

A numerical approach is proposed to evaluate the effective properties of piezoelectric fibers embedded in a nonpiezoelectric matrix, considering imperfect contact between fiber and matrix. Firstly, a Representative Volume Element is analyzed via Finite Element Method for different loadings with suitable boundary conditions applied in a unique way. Transversely, isotropic piezoelectric materials with circular and square cross-section fibers are analyzed for square arrangements with different fiber volume fractions as well as with perfect and imperfect contact conditions. The results for circular and square cross-section fibers with perfect contact are compared to the literature data in order to verify the consistency of proposed numerical approach. After that, the results with imperfect contact are discussed, observing the influence of the fiber volume fraction and the level of the imperfection in the fiber-matrix adhesion. Results show that the imperfect contact not only influences the elastic constants, but also the piezoelectric effective values.