SH-WAVES IN LAYERED SYSTEMS.

SH-waves are shear waves in which the particle movement is polarised horizontally and at right angles to the direction of propagation. They can be generated artificially in layered systems. The velocity of the waves at the surface is not a constant but varies with the frequency. The manner of the variation depends upon the depths of the interfaces and the mechanical properties of the materials. For three-layered systems, characteristic shapes of the response curves can be predicted theoretically. The response of the generalised layered system can also be predicted, employing matrices to represent the continuity relationships at the interfaces.