Three-dimensional general magneto-electro-elastic finite element model for multiphysics nonlinear analysis of layered composites

In this paper, by defining a general potential energy for the multiphase coupled multiferroics and applying the minimum energy principle, the coupled governing equations are derived. This system of equations is then discretized as a general three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) model based on the COMSOL software. After validating the formulation, it is then applied to the analysis and design of the common sandwich structure of multiferroics composites. Under the typical static loading, the effects of general lateral boundary conditions, material grading, nonlinearity, as well as polarization orientation on the composites are analyzed. For the magneto-electro-elastic (MEE) sandwich made of piezoelectric BaTiO₃ and magnetostrictive CoFe₂O₄ with different stacking sequences, various interesting features are observed which should be very helpful for the design of high-performance multiphase composites.