Shear wave propagation in a sandwich layered piezoelectric microbeam: A Zener model and sliding theory approach

This study investigates a theory of shear horizontal surface wave propagating in a sandwich structure composed of a piezoelectric layer with micro-scale features and two identical viscoelastic layers under sliding contacts. The friction at the common interface is modeled using a rate and state-dependent law, capturing sliding velocity dependence and rate-weakening behavior under electrical conditions. The physical properties of the viscoelastic layer are described using the Zener model, and Maxwell’s equations are used to derive the governing equations for wave propagation. An analytical expression for the complex dispersion relation is derived using appropriate boundary conditions. A graphical representation of parameters such as the shear moduli ratio, sliding parameter, micro-length scale, attenuation coefficient, layer thickness, thickness ratio, and loss factor on shear wave velocity is presented. The results reveal the significant influence of shear moduli ratio and viscoelastic loss factor on shear wave dispersion, highlighting a hardening or softening effects in advanced sandwich structures. These findings have potential applications in soft biomaterials, nondestructive testing, and tissue analysis.