Propagation of surface SH waves on a nonlinear half space coated with a layer of nonuniform thickness

Abstract

In this study, the propagation of shear horizontal (SH) waves in a nonlinear elastic half space covered by a nonlinear elastic layer with a slowly varying interface is examined. The constituent materials are assumed to be homogenous, isotropic, elastic and having different mechanical properties. By employing the method of multiple scales, a nonlinear Schrodinger equation (NLS) with variable coefficients is derived for the nonlinear self-modulation of SH waves. We examine the effects of dispersion, irregularity of the interface and nonlinearity on the propagation characteristics of SH waves.