Axisymmetric thermoelastic interactions without energy dissipation in an unbounded body with cylindrical cavity

The linear theory of thermoelasticity without energy dissipation is employed to study thermoelastic interactions in a homogeneous and isotropic unbounded body containing a cylindrical cavity. The interactions are supposed to be due to a constant step in radial stress or temperature applied to the boundary of the cavity, which is maintained at a constant temperature or zero radial stress (as the case may be). By using the Laplace transform technique, it is found that the interactions consist of two coupled waves both of which propagate with a finite speed but with no attenuation. The discontinuities that occur at the wavefronts are computed. Numerical results applicable to a copper-like material are presented.