An Effective Dispersion Theory for Layered Composites

Abstract

A new approximate theory for wave propagation in a periodically layered elastic body is proposed. In its present state, the theory is valid for either propagation normal to the layering or for propagation under antiplane strain conditions. The theory is based on microstructural theories of elasticity, and makes use of a collocation technique in conjunction with the exact solution for wave propagation in an unbounded elastic body. The results are considered to hold promise for formulating accurate approximate solutions to certain types of boundary-initial value problems for composite bodies.