Sādhanā Vol. 29, Part 4, August 2004, pp. 355–363.

© Printed in India

Propagation of Love waves in an elastic layer with void pores

S DEY1 , S GUPTA1 and A K GUPTA2

1
Department of Applied Mathematics and 2 Department of Applied Geophysics,
Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad 826 004, India
e-mail: d− sukhendu@hotmail.com

MS received 18 June 2003; revised 3 March 2004

Abstract. The paper presents a study of propagation of Love waves in a poro-

elastic layer resting over a poro-elastic half-space. Pores contain nothing of mechan-
ical or energetic significance. The study reveals that such a medium transmits two
types of love waves. The first front depends upon the modulus of rigidity of the
elastic matrix of the medium and is the same as the love wave in an elastic layer
over an elastic half-space. The second front depends upon the change in volume
fraction of the pores. As the first front is well-known, the second front has been
investigated numerically for different values of void parameters. It is observed that
the second front is many times faster than the shear wave in the void medium due
to change in volume fraction of the pores and is significant.

Keywords. Love waves; elastic matrix; void pores; volume fraction of pores;
equilibrated inertia; wave fronts.

1. Introduction

Linear and nonlinear theories of poro elastic material were introduced by Cowin and Nunziato
around the year 1980 (Cowin & Nunziato 1983, Nunziato & Cowin 1979). Cowin (1985) also
extended the theory to show that linear elastic materials with voids behave like viscoelastic
materials. Scalia (1994) studied the propagation of shock waves in viscoelastic materials with
voids. Chandrasekharaiah (1987) studied the effect of surface stress and voids on Rayleigh
waves in elastic solids with voids. It was pointed out in his paper that there may be two
longitudinal wave fronts in such a medium. Dey & Gupta (1987) have studied the propagation
of longitudinal and shear waves in void media and came to the conclusion that there may be
two wave fronts for longitudinal waves. Dey et al (1993) discussed the propagation of torsional
surface waves in an elastic medium with void pores. The influence of local irregularities on
propagation of Love waves has been studied by Yu et al (1996). The propagation of Love waves
in homogeneous and non-homogeneous elastic media has been studied by many authors. Some
of these studies are available in Ewing et al (1957), Achenbach (1973), Pillant (1979) etc.
The present paper attempts to examine Love waves in elastic media containing voids. The
mechanical constitutive equation satisfying the physical properties has been given by Cowin
& Nunziato (1983). The velocity equation of Love waves in a poro-elastic layer over a poro-
elastic half-space has been obtained. It is shown that there is possibility of propagation of

355
356 S Dey et al

Figure 1. Geometry of the problem.

two wave fronts, one front associated with the elasticity of the medium and the other front to
change in void volume.

2. Summary of the theory

The linear theory of elastic material with voids (Cowin & Nunziato 1983) deals with small
changes from a reference configuration of a porous body (see figure 1). In this configuration,
the bulk density ρ, matrix density γ and matrix volume fraction ν are related by
ρR = γR νR , (1)
and the body is taken to be strain-free, although not necessarily stress-free. The independent
kinematic variables in the linear theory are the displacement field ui (x, t) from the reference
configuration and change in volume fraction from the reference volume fraction, φ(x, t):
φ(x, t) = ν(x, t) − νR (x), (2)
where x is the spatial position vector in Cartesian co-ordinates and t is time. The infinitesimal
strain tensor E ij (x, t) is determined from the displacement field ui according to

E ij = 21 (ui,j + uj,i ), (3)

where the comma followed by a lowercase letter indicates partial derivative with respect to
the indicated co-ordinate.
Assuming that the region occupied by a body is regular, the equations of motion governing
a linear elastic continuum with void are the balance of linear momentum,
∂ 2 ui
ρ = T ij ,j + bi , (4)
∂t 2
and the balance of equilibrated force,
∂ 2φ
ρk = hi,i + g + ρl. (5)
∂t 2
 Love waves in an elastic layer with void pores 357

Here,
Tij is the symmetric stress tensor,
bi is the body force vector,
hi is the equilibrated stress vector,
k is the equilibrated inertia,
g is the intrinsic equilibrated body force,
l is the extrinsic equilibrated body force.
The constitutive equations for the stress tensor Tij , the equilibrated stress vector hi and the
intrinsic equilibrated body force g to the strain E ij , the change in volume fraction φ, the time
rate of change of the volume fraction φ and the gradient of the change in volume fraction φ, i.
Thus,
T ij = Cij km Ekm + D ij k φ,k + Bij φ, (6)
hi = Aij φ,j + D ij k Ej k + fi φ, (7)
g = −ω(∂φ/∂t) − ξ φ−B ij Eij −f i φ,i , (8)
where Cij km , Bij , Aij , fi , ω and ξ are functions of vR . If the material symmetry is of a type
that possesses a centre of symmetry, then the tensor D ij k and fi are identically zero and
the constitutive equations (6)–(8) are simplified. If, in addition, the material is isotropic in its
dependence of T ij , hi and g on E ij , φ,i , then Cij km, Aij and bij are given by


Cij km = λδij δkm + µ δik δj m + δim δj k , (9)
Aij = α δij ,
Bij = β δij ,
where λ, µ are Lame’s constants of elastic frame and α, and β are functions of vR , and the
constitutive equations (6)–(8) become
T ij = δij Ekk + 2µEij + β φδij , (10)
hi = α φ,i , (11)
g = −ω(∂φ/∂t) − ξ φ − βEkk , (12)
µ > 0, α > 0, ξ > 0, k > 0, kξ > β 2 , ω > 0, (13)
where
k = λ + (2/3)µ.
The field equations governing the displacement field ui (x, t) and the volume fraction field
φ(x, t) are obtained by substituting the constitutive relations (10)–(12) into the equations of
motion (4) and (5) as
(λ + µ) ∇∇.u + µ∇ 2 u + β∇φ = ρ(∂ 2 u/∂t 2 ), (14)
α∇ 2 φ−ω(∂φ/∂t) − ξ φ − β∇.u = ρk(∂ 2 φ/∂t 2 ). (15)
358 S Dey et al

The boundary condition on φ is

n.∇φ = 0, (16)
where n is the unit vector normal to the external boundary and the boundary conditions on u
are those of classical elasticity.

3. Formulation

Consider an elastic layer of thickness H with void pores. The z-axis is taken vertically
downward in the lower medium. The x-axis is chosen parallel to the layer in the direction of
the wave propagation. Origin is chosen at the interface of the layer and the half-space.
The displacement components for Love waves are u = 0, w = 0 and v = v(x, z, t). The
equations of motion (14) and (15), which are not identically satisfied, under no body forces
take the form,
 2   
∂ 2v ∂ v ∂ 2v ∂φ ∂φ
ρ 2 =µ + 2 +β + , (17)
∂t ∂x 2 ∂z ∂x ∂z
 2 
∂ 2φ ∂ φ ∂ 2φ ∂φ
ρk 2 = α + 2 −ω − ξ φ. (18)
∂t ∂x 2 ∂z ∂t

4. Solution

For waves propagating in the positive direction of x-axis with velocity c the solution of (17)
and (18) may be taken as
v = v(z)eik(x−ct) ,
φ = φ(z)eik(x−ct) ,

where v(z) and φ(z) satisfy the equations,

0
v 00 (z) − N 2 v(z) + B[ikφ(z) + φ (z)] = 0, (19)
with the values of N, B as


1/2
N = k 1 − c2 /A2 , B = β/µ, and A = (µ/ρ)1/2
and
00
φ (z) − M 2 φ(z) = 0, (20)
where
 1/2
M = (αk 2 − ρkk 2 c2 −iωkct + ξ )/α .

α, k, ξ being constants for a particular material. Ignoring the damping term ω which is very
small for sinusoidal wave, the value of M may be taken as
" #1/2
c2 1
M = k 1−
+ 2 . (21)
α/ρk k (α/ξ )
 Love waves in an elastic layer with void pores 359

The solution of (20) with M as (21) may be taken as

φ = R3 eMz + R4 e−Mz . (22)
Using (22), the solution of (19) is
B (ik + M) Mz B (ik−M) −Mz
v = R1 eN z + R2 e−N z − e R3 − e R4 . (23)
M −N
2 2 M2 − N2
Hence the solution of (17) and (18) may be written as
 
Nz −N z B (ik + M) Mz B (ik−M) −Mz
v = R1 e + R2 e − e R3 − e R4 eik(x−ct) ,
M 2 −N 2 M2 − N2
(24)
 
φ = R3 eMz + R4 e−Mz eik(x−ct) . (25)

5. Solution for the upper layer

Denoting the quantities for the upper layer by subscript 1, the solution may be written as
B1 (ik + M1 ) exp(M1 z)
v1 = [R1 exp(N 1 z) + R2 exp(−N 1 z) − R3
M12 − N12
B1 (ik − M1 ) exp(−M1 z)
− R4 ] exp{ik(x − ct)}, (26)
M12 − N12
 
φ1 = R3 exp(M 1 z) + R4 exp(−M1 z) exp {ik(x − ct)}} , (27)
where

1/2
N1 = k 1 − (c2 /A21 ) , A1 = (µ1 /ρ1 )1/2 ,
 1/2
c2 1 β1
M1 = k 1 − + 2 , B1 = .
(α1 /ρ1 k1 ) k (α1 /ξ1 ) µ1

6. Solution for the half-space

Denoting the quantities by the subscript 2 for the half-space and keeping in view that φ → 0
as z → ∞, and v → 0 as z → ∞, the solution may be taken as
 
B2 (M2 − ik)exp(−M 2 z)
v2 = R5 exp(−N 2 z) − R6 exp{ik(x − ct)}, (28)
M22 − N22
φ2 = R2 exp(−M 2 z)exp{ik(x − ct)}, (29)
where

1/2
N2 = k 1 − (c2 /A22 ) , A2 = (µ2 /ρ2 )1/2 ,
 1/2
c2 1 β2
M2 = k 1 − + 2 , B2 = .
(α2 /ρ2 k2 ) k (α2 /ζ2 ) µ2
360 S Dey et al

7. Boundary conditions

Boundary conditions to be satisfied by the propagation are


(i) τyz 1 = τyz 2
(ii) (n.∇φ)1 = (n.∇φ)2  
 at z = 0, (30)
(iii) (φ)1 = (φ)2 
(iv) (v)1 = (v)2

and


1=0
(v) (n.∇φ)
at z = −H . (31)
(vi) τyz 1 = 0

Using (26) to (29), the above boundary conditions (30) and (31) give
 
B1 (ik + M1 ) M1 B1 (ik − M1 ) M1
µ1 R1 N1 − R2 N1 + R3 + R4
M12 − N12 M12 − N12
 
B2 (M2 − ik) M2
+ µ2 R5 N2 + R 6 = 0, (32)
M22 − N22
M1 R3 − M1 R4 + M2 R6 = 0, (33)
R3 + R4 − R6 = 0, (34)
B1 (ik + M1 ) B1 (ik − M1 ) B2 (M2 − ik)
R1 + R2 − R3 − R4 − R5 − R6 = 0,
M 1 − N1
2 2
M 1 − N1
2 2
M22 − N22
(35)
R3 exp(−M1 H ) − R4 exp(M1 H ) = 0, (36)

and

R1 exp(−N1 H ) − R2 exp(N1 H ) = 0. (37)

For non-zero solution of R1 , R2 , R3 , R4 , R5 and R6 we have

µ2 µ2 B2 (M2 −ik)M2
N1 −N1 − B1 (ik+M 1 )M1
M 2 −N 2
B1 (ik−M1 )M1
M12 −N12
N
µ1 2 µ1 (M22 −N22 )
1 1

0 0 M1 −M1 0 M2
0 0 1 1 0 −1
B1 (ik+M1 ) −B 1 (ik−M1 ) −B2 (M2 −ik)
= 0.
1 1 M12 −N12 M12 −N12
−1 (M22 −N22 )
−M 1 H M1 H
0 0 e e 0 0
−N 1 H N1 H
e e 0 0 0 0

On evaluation, the determinant gets factorised into

[µ2 N2 exp(N1 H ) − (µ2 N2 − µ1 N1 ) sinh(N1 H )][−M1 H sinh(M1 H )

+ M2 {− exp(M1 H ) + sinh(M1 H )}] = 0.
 Love waves in an elastic layer with void pores 361

Hence, either

(N2 µ2 − N1 µ1 ) sinh(N1 H ) − µ2 N2 exp(N1 H ) = 0, (38)

or

(M2 − M1 ) sinh(M1 H ) − M2 exp(M1 H ) = 0. (39)

Equation (38) on simplification gives

" 1/2 #
1/2
c2 1−(c2 /A22 ) µ2
tan −1 kH =
1/2 (40)
A12
(c /A1 ) − 1
2 2 µ1

and (39) takes the form

 1/2  1/2
c2 1 1 − (c2 /c32 )S + (1/(km)22 )
tan −1− kH =  1/2 (41)
c3
2
(km)21 (c2 /c32 ) − 1 − (1/(km)21 )

where

(km)21 = k 2 (α1 /ξ1 ), (km)22 = k 2 (α2 /ξ2 ),

c3 = (α1 /ρ1 k1 )1/2 , velocity of shear wave due to change in void volume
fraction in the layer,
c3 = (α2 /ρ2 k2 )1/2 , velocity of shear wave due to change in void volume
fraction in the half-space,

and

S = c32 /c23 .

The study shows that Love waves propagate in elastic media with void pores in two
wave fronts. One wave front, given by (41), is associated with the parameters of the
void pores which are involved with the change of void volume fraction and the equi-
librated inertia. The other wave front given in (40) is the same as it would have been
in elastic half-space without pores. Both the fronts are dispersive in nature. As a par-
ticular case, in the absence of void pores (41) takes the form of (40) which is the
well-known dispersive equation for Love waves in an elastic layer over an elastic half
space.

8. Numerical calculation

The numerical values of c2 /c32 have been calculated from (41) for different values of kH taking
some sets of values of (km)1 , (km)2 and S. The results are presented in figures 2 and 3. The
figures show that the velocity of Love wave front which depends on the change in volume of
void pores is many times higher then the velocity of waves carrying a change in void fraction
of pores at low values of kH.
362 S Dey et al

Figure 2. Love wave dispersion curve in an elastic medium with void pores for a set of parameters.

Figure 3. Love wave dispersion curve in an elastic medium with void pores for a second set of
parameters.
 Love waves in an elastic layer with void pores 363

9. Conclusion

The study arrived at the following results:

(1) The two Love wave fronts may be available in the medium. The velocity of the first
depends on the rigidity of the elastic medium and is the same as Love waves in elastic
medium. The other depends on the change in void volume fraction of pores.
(2) The velocity of Love wave fronts of second type is much more than the velocity of shear
waves due to the change in void volume fraction of pores and deserves consideration.
(3) The velocity depends on the ratio of void volume fraction of pores of the layer and half-
space and is increased if the ratio decreases. Since some regions of the layers of the
earth are dry and porous without the filling of any significant materials, the possibility of
existence of two Love wave fronts in such a layer attracts the attention of seismologists.

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