Three-Phase Inclusions of Arbitrary Shape With Internal Uniform Hydrostatic Stresses in Finite Elasticity

Abstract

We study the internal stress field of a three-phase two-dimensional inclusion of arbitrary shape bonded to an unbounded matrix through an intermediate interphase layer when the matrix is subjected to remote uniform in-plane stresses. The elastic materials occupying all three phases belong to a particular class of compressible hyperelastic harmonic materials. Our analysis indicates that the internal stress field can be uniform and hydrostatic for some nonelliptical shapes of the inclusion, and all of the possible shapes of the inclusion permitting internal uniform hydrostatic stresses are identified. Three conditions are derived that ensure an internal uniform hydrostatic stress state. Our rigorous analysis indicates that for the given material and geometrical parameters of the three-phase inclusion of a nonelliptical shape, at most, eight different sets of remote uniform Piola stresses can be found, leading to internal uniform hydrostatic stresses. Finally, the analytical results are illustrated through an example.