Empirical Dependence of Elastic Moduli on Porosity for Ceramic Materials

Abstract

Twenty‐seven sets of elastic modulus‐porosity data spanning ranges > 20% in porosity were fitted by linear, exponential, Hasselman, and 2/3‐power relations. The fits were tested for goodness of fit, for extrapolation to zero‐porosity moduli, and for consistency in determining zero‐porosity Poisson's ratios and bulk moduli. On the whole, the linear relation appears to give a superior fit. This result is seen as supportive of self‐consistent theoretical calculations of moduli in porous media. Nonlinear data sets are attributed to a tendency for the spheroidicity of pores to increase with porosity.