Torsional surface waves in heterogeneous anisotropic half-space under initial stress

The present paper is concerned with the propagation of torsional surface waves in a heterogeneous anisotropic half-space under the initial compressive stress. The heterogeneity in the half-space is caused by the linear variation in rigidity, initial compressive stress and density. The solution part of the problem involves the use of Whittaker function. The dispersion equation has been obtained in a closed form, which shows the variation of phase velocity with corresponding wave number. Effects of anisotropy and initial stress have been shown by the means of graphs for different anisotropic materials. It has found that the phase velocity of torsional waves decreases with increment in initial stress and inhomogeneity. Obtained phase velocity of torsional surface wave is found to be less than the shear wave velocity, which agrees with the standard result.