Simulation of thermoelastic wave propagation by means of a composite wave-propagation algorithm

A modification of the wave-propagation algorithm is used as a tool for dete rmining contact quantities in a finite-volume scheme for the numerical simu lation of two-dimensional thermoelastic wave propagation in inhomogeneous m edia. The modification is needed to provide the satisfaction of the thermod ynamic consistency conditions between adjacent elements. Ir appears that th e algorithm is thermodynamically consistent except for the limiter function s. Therefore, a composite scheme is used where the Godunov step is applied after each three second-order Lax-Wendroff steps. Elimination of source ter ms is made following the method of balancing sourer terms after independent solution of the heat conduction equation. (C) 2001 Academic Press.