International Journal of Engineering Science (Impact Factor: 2.29). 05/1999; 37(7):847-861.
DOI: 10.1016/S0020-7225(98)00104-9

ABSTRACT The Huet theory for overall properties of specimens smaller than the representative volume, is extended to the case of heterogeneous materials with imperfect interface conditions. Modified definitions are given for the notion of apparent properties of heterogeneous elastic bodies with imperfect interfaces. Size effect relationships are established between the experimental results obtained, respectively, on a big specimen with imperfect interfaces and on an appropriate set of smaller specimens. Hierarchies between the apparent properties of families of specimens of different sizes are constructed. The influence of imperfect interface conditions on the apparent and effective properties of heterogeneous materials is studied.