SH-waves in viscoelastic heterogeneous layer over half-space with self-weight

Abstract

The effect of gravity, heterogeneity and internal friction on propagation of SH-waves (horizontally polarised shear waves) in viscoelastic layer over a half-space has been studied. Using the method of separation of variables, dispersion equation has been obtained and used to recover the damped velocity of SH-waves. Both the real and imaginary parts of dispersion equation are in well agreement with the classical Love wave equation. It has been observed that heterogeneity of the medium affects the velocity profile of SH-wave significantly. Some other peculiarities have been observed and discussed in our study.