Experimental study of Scholte wave diffraction by a dihedral.

Abstract

The theoretical study of waves capable of propagating at a liquid/elastic solid interface may lead to many solutions. Some of these solutions correspond to interface waves that are characterized by their direction of propagation parallel to the interface and by their possible reemission in the fluid medium. After recalling the main characteristics of the Scholte–Stoneley and the Rayleigh waves, the authors propose an experimental study of the diffraction of the Scholte wave by a dihedral edge. When the Scholte wave meets the dihedral perpendicularly, two phenomena occur. First, a phenomenon of pure diffraction characterized by a bulk wave mainly propagating in the interface direction. This is essentially due to the component of the Scholte wave in the liquid. Second, some conversions occur giving a reflected Scholte wave, a transmitted one, and two leaky Rayleigh waves. It is possible to prove reemission directions of the generalized Rayleigh waves in accordance with the solid nature and the dihedral angle.