A generalized self-consistent estimate for the effective elastic moduli of fiber-reinforced composite materials with multiple transversely isotropic inclusions

The effective elastic properties of a fiber-reinforced composite material with multiple transversely isotropic inclusions are estimated by the use of a generalized self-consistent method, which considers strong interactions between the inclusion and matrix as well as among inclusions. The accuracy of this method is established by comparing to the closed-form analytic solutions by Christensen when the matrix and inclusion are isotropic. Furthermore, current predictions from the generalized self-consistent method for a composite with multiple inclusions correspond well with the numerical results from finite element analysis. The generalized self-consistent method can be particularly useful in establishing micromechanics models of natural biological composite materials such as cortical bone to examine the dependence of the elastic properties of cortical bone on its porosity.