Propagation of Thermo-Elastic Waves at Several Typical Interfaces Based on the Theory of Dipolar Gradient Elasticity

The reflection and transmission properties of thermo-elastic waves at five possible interfaces between two different strain gradient thermo-elastic solids are investigated based on the generalized thermo-elastic theory without energy dissipation (the GN theory). First, the function of free energy density is postulated and the constitutive relations are defined. Then, the temperature field and the displacement field are obtained from the motion equation in the form of displacement and the thermal transport equation without energy dissipation in the strain gradient thermo-elastic solid. Finally, the five types of thermo-elastic interfacial conditions are used to calculate the amplitude ratios of the reflection and transmission waves with respect to the incident wave. Further, the reflection and transmission coefficients in terms of energy flux ratio are calculated and the numerical results are validated by the energy conservation along the normal direction. It is found that there are five types of dispersive waves, namely the coupled longitudinal wave (the CP wave), the coupled thermal wave (the CT wave), the shear wave, and two evanescent waves (the coupled SP wave and SS wave), that become the surface waves at an interface. The mechanical interfacial conditions mainly influence the coupled CP waves, SV waves, and surface waves, while the thermal interfacial conditions mainly influence the coupled CT waves.