Elastic Wave Propagation in Soft Microstructured Composites Undergoing Finite Deformations

We consider the propagation of elastic waves in soft composite materials undergoing large deformations. The analysis is performed in terms of small amplitude motions superimposed on a deformed state. By consideration of 2D periodic laminates and 3D fiber composites, we find that an applied deformation influences the elastic waves through the change in the microstructure, and through the change in the local material properties. These effects can be significantly amplified by the deformation induced elastic instability phenomenon leading to microstructure transformations. (© 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)