Analytical technique for hygrothermo-electroelastic field in piezoelectric bodies with <i>D</i> _∞ symmetry

A general solution technique for hygrothermo-electroelastic problems in bodies with D∞ symmetry is developed. The displacement and electric field are expressed in terms of their respective potential functions, and the hygrothermo-electroelastic field quantities are expressed in terms of elastic and piezoelastic potential functions, each of which satisfies a Laplace equation with respect to the appropriately transformed spatial coordinates, combined with the two hygrothermoelastic displacement potential functions. As an application of this technique, a theoretical analysis of an infinite cylinder subjected to distributions of moisture content, temperature, and stress was performed, and the significance of the hygrothermo-electroelastic analyses was demonstrated.