Modeling of physical properties of composite materials

Recent progress in three different areas involving the modeling of the phys ical properties of composites is reviewed. These include: (i) theoretical a pproaches to microstructure/property relations; (ii) X-ray microtomography, an imaging technique that enables one to obtain high-resolution three-dime nsional microstructural phase information of a composite sample in a non-in trusive manner; and (ii) topology optimization, a promising numerical techn ique that enables one to design composites with tailored material propertie s. Current limitations and future research needs are described. (C) 1999 El sevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.