Material multipole mechanics of elastic dielectric composites (Q1191592)

Using a statistical continuum multipole theory, the author studies the overall mechanical and electrical behaviour of elastic dielectric composites. The composite is modelled as a medium composed of a large number of inhomogeneous particles randomly distributed in a uniform matrix. The particles, assumed to be firmly bonded with the matrix, are modelled as point material induced multipoles. The author presents a basic solution for an electrically polarised ellipsoidal elastic inhomogeneity embedded in an infinite dielectric medium. It is shown how Eshelby's classical elastic solution is modified by the electric-elastic interaction. The overall macroscopic constitutive relations and the related coupling parameters are then derived for the elastic dielectric composite without any pre-assumptions concerning the form of these relations. This advantage of the statistical approach over the classical effective medium theory is illustrated by an example of dilute suspension. Quantitative calculation concerning statistical anisotropy, shape effect and electric-elastic interaction are presented. [Reviewers remark: This review also applies to the author's article indicated below.].