Effective coefficients of piezoelectric fiber-reinforced composites

The effective coefficients of piezoelectric fiber-reinforced composites (PFRC) have been determined through micromechanical analyzes. The method of cells (MOC) and the strength of materials (SM) approach have been employed to predict the coefficients. A constant electric field is considered in the direction transverse to the fiber direction and is assumed to be the same both in the fiber and the matrix. MOC and SM predictions for the effective piezoelectric coefficient of the PFRC assessing the actuating capability in the fiber direction are in excellent agreement. It has been found for the piezoelectric fibers considered that, when the fiber volume fraction exceeds a critical fiber volume fraction, this effective piezoelectric coefficient becomes significantly larger than the corresponding coefficient of the piezoelectric material of the fiber. The methods also show the excellent matching of the predictions of the effective elastic constants and the dielectric constant of the PFRC in the useful range of fiber volume fraction.