A modified affine theory for the overall properties of nonlinear composites

Abstract

The expressions of the intraphase second moments of stress and strain in heterogeneous linear thermoelastic materials are derived; they are used to quantify the intraphase heterogeneity predicted by the ‘classical affine’ formulation for the homogenization of nonlinear composites. By analogy with the ‘modified secant’ approach, a ‘modified affine’ formulation that accounts for intraphase heterogeneity is proposed.