Equivalent inclusion method for steady state heat conduction in composites

The equivalent inclusion method is proposed to solve the steady state heat conduction problems in composites. This method is analogous to Eshelby's equivalent inclusion method in elasticity. Thus, the solution procedure by this method is very simple, involving only algebraic operations. The equivalent inclusion method developed here is also applicable to the case of high concentrations of ellipsoidal inhomogeneities. As a demonstration, several examples are worked out, including the temperature field in continuous fiber composite and the thermal conductivity of two- and three-phase composites.