TY - JOUR
T1 - On the use of homogenization theory to design optimal piezocomposites for hydrophone applications
AU - Gibiansky, L. V.
AU - Torquato, S.
N1 - Funding Information:
We are grateful to Marco Avellaneda for helpful discussions and to Chris L. Y. Yeong for producing the Fig. 5 for this paper. This work was supported by the ARO/MURI Grant DAAH04-95-1-0102.
PY - 1997/5
Y1 - 1997/5
N2 - We consider an optimal design of composite hydrophones consisting of parallel piezoelectric PZT rods that are embedded in a porous polymer matrix. Given the material properties of the polymer and PZT ceramic, we have optimally designed the piezocomposite to maximize the hydrostatic coupling factor, hydrophone figure of merit, or electromechanical coupling factor, using the methods of homogenization theory. The optimal composite is obtained by using a two-step procedure: (i) first we find the ideal structure of the matrix material by weakening the polymer by an optimal arrangement of pores, and (ii) then we embed the PZT rods in this matrix. The design parameters are the shape, volume fraction, and spatial arrangement of the piezoceramic rods, and the structure of the matrix material. It turns out that the optimal matrix is highly anisotropic and is characterized by negative Poisson's ratios in certain directions. The optimal composites possess performance characteristics that are significantly higher than those of a piezocomposite with an isotropic polymer matrix. The results can be viewed as theoretical upper bounds on the hydrophone performance.
AB - We consider an optimal design of composite hydrophones consisting of parallel piezoelectric PZT rods that are embedded in a porous polymer matrix. Given the material properties of the polymer and PZT ceramic, we have optimally designed the piezocomposite to maximize the hydrostatic coupling factor, hydrophone figure of merit, or electromechanical coupling factor, using the methods of homogenization theory. The optimal composite is obtained by using a two-step procedure: (i) first we find the ideal structure of the matrix material by weakening the polymer by an optimal arrangement of pores, and (ii) then we embed the PZT rods in this matrix. The design parameters are the shape, volume fraction, and spatial arrangement of the piezoceramic rods, and the structure of the matrix material. It turns out that the optimal matrix is highly anisotropic and is characterized by negative Poisson's ratios in certain directions. The optimal composites possess performance characteristics that are significantly higher than those of a piezocomposite with an isotropic polymer matrix. The results can be viewed as theoretical upper bounds on the hydrophone performance.
KW - A. electromechanical processes
KW - B. anisotropic material
KW - B. piezoelectric material
KW - C. homogenization
KW - C. optimization
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U2 - 10.1016/S0022-5096(96)00106-8
DO - 10.1016/S0022-5096(96)00106-8
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0031139852
SN - 0022-5096
VL - 45
SP - 689
EP - 708
JO - Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids
JF - Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids
IS - 5
ER -