A generalized continuum formulation for composite microcracked materials and wave propagation in a bar

A multifield continuum is adopted to grossly describe the dynamical behavior of composite microcracked solids. The constitutive relations for the internal and external (inertial) actions are obtained using a multiscale modeling based on the hypotheses of the classical molecular theory of elasticity and the ensuing overall elastodynamic properties allow us to take properly into account the microscopic features of these materials. Referring to a one-dimensional microcracked bar, the ability of such a continuum to reveal the presence of internal heterogeneities is investigated by analyzing the relevant dispersive wave propagation properties. Scattering of traveling waves is shown to be associated with the microcrack density in the bar.