Love-Type Surface Wave in an Isotropic Layer Bounded between Orthotropic and Heterogeneous Half-Spaces under Initial Stresses

Abstract

A mathematical model of propagation of the Love wave in an intermediate isotropic vertical layer placed in between two prestressed half-spaces with different elastic properties is proposed. The upper half-space is orthotropic in nature. The density and rigidity of the lower half-space are assumed to be space dependent. The proposed model is solved to obtain the 10 different dispersion relations for the Love-type surface wave in the elastic medium of different properties. The effects of the initial stress parameter and heterogeneity parameter of half-spaces on the dispersion of Love waves are shown numerically by plotting various curves of nondimensional phase velocities against nondimensional wave number. Love wave velocities are derived analytically. In the absence of the considered technical constants, the obtained results validate the formulation. Some special cases of interest are also discussed. This analysis may be useful to interpret the nature of propagation of seismic waves in elastic media.