Analytic solution for a circular nano-inhomogeneity with interface stretching and bending resistance in plane strain deformations

In the mechanical analysis of composites containing nano-inhomogeneities, it is customary to consider only the stretching resistance of the inhomogeneity-matrix interface but neglect the bending resistance of the interface. In this paper, we consider a circular nano-inhomogeneity in an infinite elastic plane subjected to an arbitrary uniform remote in plane loading with both stretching and bending resistance incorporated on the interface. Analytic solutions are obtained for the stress field both inside and outside the inhomogeneity by using an integral-type boundary condition representing the jump in traction across the interface. We show that the presence of interface bending resistance has no influence on the average of the mean stress in the inhomogeneity, and for certain interface stretching and bending rigidities the stress field inside the inhomogeneity can remain uniform regardless of the specific uniform remote loading. Numerical examples are presented to examine the influence of the interface bending resistance on the interfacial tractions imposed on the inhomogeneity and matrix for a uniform remote uniaxial loading. It is found that the introduction of interface bending resistance perturbs the (interfacial) tractions imposed on the inhomogeneity only slightly whether the inhomogeneity is softer or harder than the matrix, while it may influence the (interfacial) tractions imposed on the matrix significantly when the inhomogeneity is much softer than the matrix. Moreover, it is shown that the peak of the interface bending resistance-induced jump in traction across the interface initially increases and then decreases as the inhomogeneity becomes harder (from an initial state in which the inhomogeneity is softer than the matrix). (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.