Multiscale modeling of thermo-elastic properties of microcracked materials

A general framework able to describe the mechanical behavior of thermo-elastic materials with microcracks is proposed. The main features of our model come from the definition of additional kinetics descriptors, both mechanical and thermal (multifield model). The model is thermodynamically consistent and turns out to be non-local, in that it retains memory of the fine material structure through internal lengths and dispersion properties. It is shown that the multifield model allows us to reveal the presence of the microcracks through a dispersive oscillating behavior and a temperature decrease of microcracks, circumventing well known problems related to standard wave propagation and heat conduction.