Harmonic wave scattered by an inclusion in an elastic plane: The complete Gurtin-Murdoch model

Abstract

We consider the propagation of a harmonic elastic wave in a composite inclusion–matrix structure subjected to plane deformation. The interface between the inclusion and matrix is described by the complete Gurtin-Murdoch model with non-vanishing interface tension and interface stretching rigidity. We consider an inclusion of general shape and formulate the corresponding boundary value problem for the wave functions in the inclusion and matrix when a harmonic compressional or shear wave is incident on the edge of the matrix. The problem is then solved by series expansion methods for the case of a circular inclusion embedded in an infinite matrix. The series solution obtained is validated by checking its convergence and via comparisons with existing static and dynamic solutions for certain reduced cases. Numerical examples are presented for the case of a small-sized circular hole embedded in a soft matrix demonstrating the influence of surface tension on the incident wave-induced dynamic stress concentration in the matrix. We find that the presence of surface tension relieves the peak stress around the circular hole when the frequency of the incident wave is below a certain critical value, while it tends to intensify the peak stress for a high-frequency incident wave.