Two-dimensional wave propagation in a rotating elastic solid with voids

Two-dimensional wave propagation is studied in an isothermal linear isotropic elastic material with voids rotating with constant angular velocity based on a theory of elastic material with voids developed by lean (1986) in the thermoelastic context. It is found that there exist three coupled plane waves propagating with distinct phase speeds. The presence of voids and the rotation of the medium are responsible for this coupling. In the absence of voids, the classical longitudinal and transverse waves are found to be coupled through the rotation of the medium. At very large frequency or when the angular rotation is very small relative to the wave frequency the waves are decoupled and propagate with distinct phase speeds. These are (i) a longitudinal wave, (ii) a transverse wave and (iii) a longitudinal wave corresponding to the change in void volume fraction. The first two correspond to the waves of classical elasticity, while the third is new and arises from the presence of the voids. The results are illustrated graphically. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.