Analytical Solution of Thermo-Mechanical Properties of Functionally Graded Materials by Asymptotic Homogenization Method

In this work, a general mathematical model for functionally graded heterogeneous equilibrium boundary value problems is considered. A methodology to find the local problems and the effective properties of functionally graded materials (FGMs) with generalized periodicity is presented, using the asymptotic homogenization method (AHM). The present models consist of the matrix metal Mo and the reinforced phase ceramic ZrC, the constituent ratios and the property gradation profiles of which can be described by the designed volume fraction. Firstly, a new threshold segmentation method is proposed to construct the gradient structure of the FGMs, which lays the groundwork for the subsequent research on the properties of materials. Further, a study of FGMs varied along a certain direction and the influence of the varied constituents and graded structures in the behavior of heterogeneous structures are investigated by the AHM. Consequently, the closed-form formulas for the effective thermo-mechanical coupling tensors are obtained, based on the solutions of local problems of FGMs with the periodic boundary conditions. These formulas provide information for the understanding of the traditional homogenized structure, and the results also be verified the correctness by the Mori-Tanaka method and AHM numerical solution. The results show that the designed structure profiles have great influence on the effective properties of the present inhomogeneous heterogeneous models. This research will be of great reference significance for the future material optimization design.