Band gaps for wave propagation in 2-D periodic three-phase composites with coated star-shaped inclusions and an orthotropic matrix

A new model for determining band gaps for wave propagation in two-dimensional (2-D) periodic three-phase composites containing coated star-shaped inclusions and an orthotropic matrix is developed using an extended version of the modified couple stress theory. An improved plane wave expansion method and the Bloch theorem for periodic media are employed to solve the 2-D elastic wave equations, which are converted to an eigenvalue problem. The...