Electrostrictive Stress Concentrations in an Elastic Dielectric Containing Two Rigid Spherical Conductors

A linear uncoupled theory of electrostriction defined in the bispherical coordinate system is utilized to investigate stress concentrations in an infi nite elastic dielectric containing two rigid spherical electrically conducting inclusions. The elastic dielectric is assumed homogeneous and isotropic so that piezoelectric effects are not present. After a general development of the theory, the specific problem of the two conductors held at a constant electrical potential difference is considered in detail. Effects of the relative sphere spacing on the stress field and the displacement of the rigid spher ical conductors for this applied electrical potential are obtained and pre sented graphically.