Scattering of elastic waves by spherical inclusions with applications to low frequency wave propagation in composites

Abstract

Scattering of plane elastic waves by a spherical inclusion is considered. A unified method of solution is presented which treats compressional and shear incidence on a similar basis. Explicit results are given for Rayleigh scattering. We apply the results of the single scattering problem to the propagation of low frequency waves in a composite containing a dilute concentration of spherical inclusions. Explicit formulae are given for the effective wave speeds and attenuations when the inclusions are voids. Both the compressional and shear wave speeds decrease initially as a function of frequency.