On asymptotic elastodynamic homogenization approaches for periodic media

A fairly large family of asymptotic elastodynamic homogenization methods is shown to be derivable from Willis exact elastodynamic homogenization theory for periodic media under appropriate approximation assumptions about, for example, frequencies, wavelengths and phase contrast. In light of this result, two long-wavelength and low-frequency asymptotic elastodynamic approaches are carefully analyzed and compared in connection with higher-order strain-gradient media. In particular, these approaches are proved to be unable to capture, at least in the one-dimensional setting, the optical branches of the dispersion curve. As an example, a two-phase string is thoroughly studied so as to illustrate the main results of the present work.