Inclusions and inhomogeneities in transversely isotropic piezoelectric solids

We analyse the electroelastic fields in and around inclusions and inhomogeneities in transversely isotropic piezoelectric solids using Eshelby's pioneering approach. Following a brief review of the general theory, we obtain explicit, closed-form expressions for the four tensors that are the piezoelectric analog of Eshelby's tensor for spheroidal inclusions-in a transversely isotropic piezoelectric medium. We focus on no specific problem pertaining to piezoelectric inclusions and inhomogeneities, but instead provide an easily-used general solution. The explicit expressions for the four tensors can be used. in the same manner as Eshelby's tensor fdr elastic inclusions, to solve a wide range of problems in the mechanics and physics of heterogeneous piezoelectrics. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.