Multiple-scattering approach to effective properties of piezoelectric composites

We develop a general theoretical framework for predicting the effective properties of piezoelectric composites in terms of multiple-scattering theory. For transversely isotropic piezoelectric composites of aligned cylindrical fibers exhibiting transversely isotropic piezoelectricity embedded in an isotropic matrix, we give the first-order approximation of the theory and present a numerical study of the effective piezoelectric coefficients. It predicts the enhanced hydrostatic and voltage piezoelectric coefficients for the two-phase fiber-reinforced piezoelectric composites. The theoretical predictions also compare reasonably well with the experimental results.