Wave propagation in plates of general anisotropic media in generalized thermoelasticity

Analysis for the propagation of waves in plates of general anisotropic medi a in the context of generalized thermoelasticity is presented. Beginning wi th a formal analysis of waves in a heat conducting plate of an arbitrary an isotropic media, the calculation is then carried forward for more specializ ed case of a monoclinic plate. Secular equations for symmetric and antisymm etric wave mode propagation in completely separate terms are developed for this case. Material systems of higher symmetry are contained implicitly in our analysis. Solutions that are bound near the surfaces of the plate are a lso discussed. We also demonstrate that the particle motions for SH modes d ecouple from rest of the motion, and are not influenced by thermal variatio ns if the propagation occurs along an in-plane axis of symmetry. Some speci al cases have also been deduced and discussed. Finally numerical solution o f the frequency equations for a zinc plate is carried out, and the dispersi on curves for the first four modes are presented. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.