On a class of micromechanical damage models with initial stresses for geomaterials

In this paper, we extend a class of micromechanical damage models by including initial stresses. The proposed approach is based on the solution of the Eshelby inhomogeneous inclusion problem in the presence of a pre-stress (in the matrix), adapted for elastic voided media. The closed form expression of the corresponding energy potential is used as the basis of various isotropic damage models corresponding to three standard homogenization schemes. These models are illustrated by considering isotropic tensile loadings with different initial stresses. Finally, still in the isotropic context, we provide an interpretation of the macroscopic damage model formulated by Halm and Dragon (1996) by briefly connecting it to the present study. 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.