Finite element analysis of the thermoelastic interactions in an unbounded body with a cavity

Thermoelastic interactions in an infinite homogeneous elastic medium with a spherical or cylindrical cavity are studied. The cavity surface is subjected to a ramp-type heating of its internal boundary which is assumed to be traction free. A general finite element model is proposed to analyze transient phenomena in thermoelastic solids. Lord-Shulman and Green-Lindsay for the generalized thermoelasticity model are selected for that purpose since it allows for "second sound" effects and reduces to the classical model by appropriate choice of the parameters. The problem has been solved numerically using a finite element method (FEM). Numerical results for the temperature distribution, displacement, radial stress and hoop stress are represented graphically. A comparison is made with the results predicted by the three theories.