Analysis of mechanical and electrical imperfect contacts in piezoelectric composites

Abstract

The problem of a heterogeneous piezoelectric composite with mechanical and electrical imperfect contact conditions is studied by means of the asymptotic homogenization method. As an illustrative example, in order to provide a benchmark for the numerical validation of theoretical models, a one-dimensional two-phase periodic laminate piezoelectric composite is considered with imperfect adhesion. Numerical examples show the effect of interface imperfections on the effective properties. Reductions in the effective Young’s modulus, the piezoelectric coupling and the dielectric permittivity under the effect of the imperfect contact conditions are reported herein.