Different interface models for calculating the effective properties in piezoelectric composite materials with imperfect fiber–matrix adhesion

Piezoelectric materials are able to produce an electrical response when mechanically stressed (sensors) and inversely high precision motion can be obtained with the application of an electrical field (actuators). The macroscopic properties of piezoelectric composites depend upon the properties and the interfacial bonding conditions of the constituent phases, and the microstructures of the composites. In the present work, a new imperfect interface model for a thin elastic interface is derived. Square unit cell model was used to calculate all coefficients of the material tensor. The calculation was performed via FE package ABAQUS™. A computational procedure, based on Python language, was developed to systematically calculate all RVE effective coefficients. Comparisons to classical Hashin’s and Nairn’s interface model show very accurate agreement for debonding and perfect boding interface.