NONLINEAR-WAVES IN A LAYER WITH ENERGY INFLUX

A nonlinear evolution equation is derived to study the propagation of deformation waves in an elastic layer in which energy is not conserved due to possible energy release from the prestress field within the layer. The approach is phenomenological and the influence of nonlinearity, geometrical dispersion and possible energy influx is all accounted for simultaneously. The corresponding KdV-type evolution equation with a r.h.s. is derived. An example is solved numerically for transient waves subject to pulse-type (soliton-type) and harmonic inputs. As a result it is demonstrated that stable solitary waves may form depending on the properties of the driving force.