Exact solution of Eshelby's inhomogeneity problem in strain gradient theory of elasticity and its applications in composite materials

•Exact solution of the problem of Eshelby's inhomogeneity in strain gradient elasticity theory.•Green's function technique and integral equation developed for arbitrary boundary conditions.•Analytical expressions of mean strain inside inclusion.•Analytical expressions of effective elastic properties with strain gradient.•Effect of the scale parameter, the contrast of elastic behavior and the volume fraction of inhomogeneity. A new micromechanical approach to deal with the problem of Eshelby's inhomogeneity is developed for the prediction of the effective properties of composite materials according to the strain gradient elasticity theory. The method is based on the Green's function technique leading to an integral equation of the heterogeneous elastic problem. Within the simplified strain gradient elasticity theory, the integral equation for an infinite heterogeneous medium subjected to non-homogeneous boundary conditions is acquired. Thanks to this integral equation, the exact solution of Eshelby's inhomogeneity problem is detailed for spherical inhomogeneity and isotropic elastic behavior. From the expression of strain localization relations, the effective elastic properties of a two-phase composite material are then predicted through Mori Tanaka's homogenization scheme. To test the relevance of the suggested approach, its predictions are compared with results issued from some reference models and experimental data.