Effective electromechanical response of macro-fiber composite (MFC): Analytical and numerical models

• An analytical model based on equivalent layered approach is proposed to predict the response of macro-fiber composites (MFC).
• A finite element (FE) model based on unit-cell approach is used to evaluate the effective properties.
• The influence of fiber volume fraction to the MFC composite is reported as a function of constituent properties.
• Inter-digitated electrode pattern of MFC has an influence on overall effective properties.

An analytical model is proposed to predict the effective properties of macro-fiber composites (MFCs) using equivalent layered approach. The assumptions are based on “rule of mixtures”, series and parallel capacitance theory, along with uniform electric field across the electrodes. Also, a finite element (FE) model based on unit cell approach is carried out to evaluate the effective properties using periodic boundary conditions. Simulated results based on the proposed analytical and numerical approaches are validated with asymptotic expansion homogenization method (AHM) [1] and [2] and the data available for a particular fiber volume fraction from manufacturer.