Analytical and Numerical Micromechanical Modeling of Piezo-Electrico-Magnetic- Thermo-Elastic Smart Composite Structures ? Part I Theory, Part II: Application

Rigorous mathematical and numerical models capable of predicting the mechanical behavior and such pertinent parameters as elastic, actuation and thermal expansion and magnetic effective coefficients of structures built-up from smart orthotropic composite materials will be developed. In Part I of this study, two analytical micromechanical models will be presented. Derived expressions pertaining to the so-called unit-cell problems and the resultant effective coefficients are very general and are valid for any 3D geometry of the unit cell. In Part II, the results of the models will be presented graphically and applied to practically important smart 3D network reinforced smart composites and smart composite laminates. The laminates consisting of transversely isotropic piezoelectric and piezomagnetic constituents. A numerical micromechanical model based on the Finite Element Method (FEM) will be also developed. Where appropriate a comparison between results obtained by the two models will be carried out to show that the Asymptotic Homogenization Method (AHM) is effective and adequate approach in modeling those averaged elastic, piezoelectric and piezomagnetic properties of the 3D grid-reinforced composite structures and smart composite laminates that are dependent on the reinforcements/actuators. The finite element model can accommodate a wide range of 3D grid-reinforced composite structures and smart composite laminates with different material properties and geometrical characteristics.