Abstract of the paper ``Role of porosity in estimates of composite
elastic constants''
The presence of small amounts of residual void space (on the order of
one percent by volume) is sufficient to make estimates of composite elastic
constants (obtained while ignoring this porosity) violate the Hashin-Shtrikman
bounds in many cases.
Experimental values falling below the incorrectly estimated lower bound is
the normal direction of violation, but erroneous neglect of porosity in
``pure'' samples can also lead to experimental values rising above the
incorrectly computed upper
bound. Examples are presented to illustrate the nature of the error and
methods of correcting it for data on composite ceramics. The result is
improved agreement between the Hashin-Shtrikman bounds, effective medium
theory estimates, and experimental data.
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