Love Wave Propagation in a Homogeneous Thermoelastic Layer over a Non-Homogeneous Half-Space with Triangular Irregularity

This study investigates the behavior of Love waves in a layered structure comprising a homogeneous isotropic thermoelastic layer overlying a non-homogeneous elastic half-space. A triangular-shaped irregularity at the interface introduces a geometric discontinuity between the two media. This analysis emphasizes the mechanical influence of the thermoelastic properties, providing insights into how temperature-dependent material influence surface wave dynamics. The governing equations of motion are developed based on Biot’s theory of elasticity incorporating thermoelastic effects. These equations are analytically solved using Fourier and inverse Fourier transformation techniques, followed by the application of Eringen and Samual’s perturbation method. This results to the derivation of a dispersion equation for Love waves in the considered geometry. The dispersion relation is graphically analyzed using MATLAB, illustrating how the dimensionless phase velocity varies with the dimensionless wave number under different inhomogeneity conditions and varying ratios of irregularity depth to layer height. The numerical results show that material inhomogeneity and interface irregularities have a significant impact on wave behavior. The numerical results show that thermal effects, in conjunction with material inhomogeneity and triangular geometric irregularities, greatly influence the phase velocity of Love waves. This study offers deeper understanding of wave propagation in complex geological settings and contributes to improved modeling techniques in geophysics, earthquake risk assessment.