Numerical simulation of multiferroic composites: prediction of magnetoelectric coupling and damage

Magnetoelectric particle and laminate composites are investigated numerically, applying the finite element method in connection with microphysically or phenomenologically motivated constitutive models for ferroelectrics and soft as well as hard ferromagnetics. A micromechanical damage model is further introduced, accounting for micro-crack growth in the ferroelectric constituents, where the cracks are assumed to be electrically impermeable and magnetically permeable. The mutual coupling of electro- and magnetomechanics, related crack driving forces and softening of the material in return are investigated by numerical simulation, providing insight into influencing factors, in particular damage, of the magnetoelectric coupling coefficients.