Neutral-coated circular piezoelectric inclusions

This study is concerned with the neutrality of a coated circular piezoelectric inclusion when the matrix is subjected to remote uniform electroelastic loadings. Two design schemes are proposed to make the coated inclusion neutral. In the first scheme, the thickness of the coating can be designed for given electroelastic constants of the composite so as to make the inclusion neutral to certain remote uniform loadings. In the second scheme, the electroelastic constants of the coating can be designed for given electroelastic constants of the inclusion and the matrix, and given coating thickness so as to make the inclusion neutral to any remote uniform loadings. The analysis indicates that even in the absence of the coating, the piezoelectric inclusion can be made neutral if the electroelastic constants of the two-phase composite satisfy a restriction.