Enhancement of the magnetoelectric coefficient in functionally graded multiferroic composites

A meshless method based on the local Petrov–Galerkin approach is proposed to solve static and dynamic problems in functionally graded magnetoelectroelastic plates. Material properties on the bottom surface have a pure piezomagnetic behavior, and on the top surface, they are pure piezoelectric. Along the plate thickness, the material properties are continuously varying. The magnetoelectric coefficient is vanishing in pure piezoelectric as well as in pure piezomagnetic constituents. It is shown, however, that a finite electric potential in the functionally graded composite can be induced by an applied magnetic potential. It means that a finite magnetoelectric coefficient exists in a functionally graded composite plate made of different phases with vanishing magnetoelectric coefficients. It is a way to enhance the magnetoelectric coefficient in composites. Various gradations of material coefficients are considered to analyze their influence on the magnitude of magnetoelectric coefficients. Pure magnetic and combined magnetic–mechanical loads are analyzed. The meshless local Petrov–Galerkin is developed for the solution of boundary value problems in magnetoelectroelastic solids with continuously varying material properties.