Elasticity theories with higher-order gradients of inertia and stiffness for the modelling of wave dispersion in laminates

Dispersive wave propagation is simulated with a continuum elasticity theory that incorporates gradients of strain and inertia. The additional parameters are the Representative Volume Element (RVE) sizes in statics and dynamics, respectively. For the special case of a periodic laminate, expressions for these two RVE sizes can be provided based on the properties of the two components. The fourth-order governing equations are rewritten in two sets of coupled second-order equations, whereby the two sets of unknowns are the macroscopic displacements and the microscopic displacements. The resulting formulation is thus a true multi-scale continuum. In a numerical wave propagation example it is shown that the higher-order continuum model provides an excellent approximation of an explicit model of the heterogeneous laminate.