Geometrical Correction to the Elastic Stiffness of Particulate Composites

A geometrical correction to previous models for the elastic modulus of particulate composites is proposed in this article in a closed-form analytical expression. By comparing the geometrically corrected models (which adopt spherical particulates) to previous models (which employ cubic particulates) a set of correction factors and functions are extracted. The correction factors modify the influence of filler volume fraction while the correction functions describe the effect of filler—matrix boundary shape to the overall composite modulus. With the aid of geometrical correction, the validity, or otherwise, of earlier models are discussed with reference to previous experimental data and are elucidated through their representative volume element’s assumed boundary conditions. These correction parameters allow the practitioner to easily incorporate geometrical correction to previously known models.