Micromechanical prediction of the effective coefficients of thermo-piezoelectric multiphase composites

The effective elastic, piezoelectric, dielectric, pyroelectric and thermal expansion constants of multiphase composites with embedded piezoelectric materials were predicted using a micromechanical generalized method of cells (GMC) model. These constants were verified by comparisons with those predictions using the Mori-Tanaka model. The present model was able to predict the behavior of multiphased piezoelectric materials and composites. The GMC method can be used to investigate other effects such as the effect of inelasticity of the host material, the effect of weak bonding between the constituents, and the effect of fiber distribution and architecture on the overall response of piezoelectric composites.