Approximate equations for torsional waves in a nonlinear elastic rod with weak viscoelasticity

Abstract

Approximate equations are derived for nonlinear torsional waves propagating along a thin circular viscoelastic rod. Ignoring the thermal effect, ‘nearly elastic’ compressible viscoelastic solids are considered in which a weak dependence of stresses on a history of strain is assumed. With the assumption that the rod is subjected to a finite angle of torsion, but that the rod is thin, the displacement is sought in a power series of the radial coordinate. The effects of geometrical and material nonlinearity give rise to the normal stress effect, which introduces deformations in the cross sectional and longitudinal dimensions of rod. Taking account of both the effect of nonlinearity and that of viscoelasticity, one dimensional approximate equations are obtained for the angle of torsion coupled with the longitudinal deformation.