Wave propagation in a semi-infinite elastic half space

Contents
1 Introduction Wave propagation .......................................................................................... 2
1.1 Factors Influencing Wave Propagation ...................................................................... 3
1.2 Equations for stress waves ......................................................................................... 3
2 Wave propagation in a semi-infinite elastic half space ...................................................... 4
2.1 Rayliegh waves .......................................................................................................... 4
2.2 Displacement of Rayleigh waves ................................................................................... 9
2.3 Attenuation of the Amplitude of Elastic Waves with Distance ................................ 11
Reference ................................................................................................................................. 14

1
 Wave propagation in a semi-infinite elastic half space

1 Introduction Wave propagation

An earthquake produces amotion of ground by the passage of stress waves that originate from
the rupture of the stressed earth mass waves may also be generated, both at the surface and
within the earth, by artificial means, such as blasting, machine vibrations, aircraft landing,
and bombardment during war.

Thus, when a load is suddenly applied to a body is not disturbed at instant of loading. The
parts closest to the source of a disturbance are affected first, and the deformations produced
by the disturbance subsequently spread throughout the body in the form of stress waves.
The question of wave propagation in an elastic medium is of great importance in geotechnical
earthquake engineering since wave velocity depend up on the elastic property of the medium
through which they travel.

Wave propagation refers to the movement of disturbances or energy through a medium due to
mechanical vibrations. In geotechnical engineering, wave propagation is crucial for
understanding how seismic waves travel through the ground, how vibrations affect soil
structures, and how dynamic loads influence the stability of earth materials.

The problem of stress wave propagation can be divided in to three major category:

1) wave propagation in Elastic bar

2) wave propagation in an infinite elastic medium
3) wave propagation in an elastic half-space [1]

Types of Earthquake Waves

Based on the medium they travel in, earthquake waves can be classified under two categories:

• Body waves
• Surface waves
Body waves are those waves that travel through the earth. They originate at the epicenter of
the earthquake and travel through the earth at amazing speeds. There are two types of body
waves, namely,

• P-waves: or Primary waves are the first waves to hit the seismographs when an
earthquake strikes. They are longitudinal waves which means that the direction of
motion and propagation are the same.
• S-waves: also called secondary waves and shear waves, are the second waves to hit
the seismographs. They are transverse waves, which means that the motion is
perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. S-waves can only travel through
solids, and scientists have successfully mapped the earth’s interior by studying the
routes of these waves.

Two types of surface waves are of primary importance in earthquake engineering. One,
the Rayleigh wave, can be shown to exist in a homogeneous, elastic half space. The other

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 Wave propagation in a semi-infinite elastic half space

surface wave, the Love wave, requires a surficial layer of lower s-wave velocity than the
underlying half-space. Other types of surface waves exist but are much less but
significant from an earthquake engineering standpoint.

1.1 Factors Influencing Wave Propagation

Soil Properties: Density, elasticity, and damping characteristics affect wave speed and
attenuation.

Layering: Different soil layers can reflect, refract, or absorb waves.

Moisture Content: Higher moisture levels can alter wave velocity and energy dissipation.

1.2 Equations for stress waves

∂2 u 𝜕𝜎𝑥 𝜕𝜎𝑥𝑦 𝜕𝜎𝑥𝑧
𝜌 2= + + (1)
∂𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

Substitute: σ𝑥 = (λε̅ + 2𝐺εx )

σ𝑥𝑦 = 𝐺γ𝑥𝑦

σ𝑥𝑧 = 𝐺γ𝑥𝑧

𝜕 2𝑢 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
𝜌 2 = (𝜆𝜀̅ + 2𝐺εx ) + (𝐺𝛾𝑥𝑦 ) + (𝐺𝛾𝑥𝑧 ) (2)
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

From the notation of stress and strain

∂𝑢 ∂𝑣 ∂𝑢 ∂𝑤 ∂𝑢
εx = ∂𝑥 , γ𝑥𝑦 = ∂𝑥 + ∂𝑦 , γ𝑥𝑧 = + ∂𝑧
∂𝑥

ε̅ = εx + εy + ε𝑧

Then substitute there

𝜕 2𝑢 𝜕 𝜕𝑢 𝜕 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑢 𝜕 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑢
𝜌 2 = (𝜆𝜀̅ + 2𝐺 ) + 𝐺 ( + )+𝐺 ( + ) (3)
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧

𝜕 2𝑢 𝜕𝜀̅ 𝜕 2𝑢 𝜕 2𝑣 𝜕 2u 𝜕 2w 𝜕 2u 𝜕 2𝑢
𝜌 = 𝜆 + 𝐺 ( + + + + + )
𝜕𝑡 2 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 2 𝜕𝑥 2

or

𝜕 2𝑢 𝜕𝜀̅ 𝜕 2𝑢 𝜕 2𝑣 𝜕 2w 𝜕 2𝑢 𝜕 2u 𝜕 2u
𝜌 2 =𝜆 +𝐺( 2 + + ) + 𝐺 ( 2 + 2 + 2)
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

∂ε̅ ∂2 𝑢 ∂2 𝑣 ∂2 w
𝑏𝑢𝑡, = + +
∂𝑥 ∂𝑥 2 ∂𝑥 ∂𝑦 ∂𝑥 ∂𝑧

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 Wave propagation in a semi-infinite elastic half space

∂2
2
∂2 ∂2
𝑎𝑛𝑑 ∇ = 2 + 2 + 2
∂𝑥 ∂𝑦 ∂𝑧

so
𝜕 2𝑢 𝜕𝜀̅
𝜌 2
= (𝜆 + 𝐺) + 𝐺∇2 𝑢 (4)
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥
Similarly, by proper substitution in equation for the other direction y and z can be obtained:

𝜕 2𝑣 𝜕𝜀̅
𝜌 2 = (𝜆 + 𝐺) + 𝐺∇2 𝑣 (5)
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑦

𝜕 2𝑤 𝜕𝜀̅
𝜌 2
= (𝜆 + 𝐺) + 𝐺∇2 𝑤 (6)
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑧

2 Wave propagation in a semi-infinite elastic half space

The earth is obviously not an infinite body, it is a very large sphere with an outer surface on
which stress ca not exist. For near-surface earthquake engineering problems, the earth is often
idealized as a semi-infinite body with a planar free surface the effects of the earth curvature
are neglected. The boundary conditions associated with the free surface allow additional
solutions to the equations of motion to be obtained. These solutions describe waves whose
motion is concentrated with a shallow zone near the free surface (i.e., surface waves). Since
earthquake engineering is concerned with the effects of earthquake on humans and their
environment, which are located on or near the earth surface, and since they attenuate with
distance mor slowly than body waves. [2]
Two types of surface waves are of primary importance in earthquake engineering. One, the
Rayleigh wave, can be shown to exist in a homogeneous, elastic half space. The other surface
wave, the Love wave, requires a surficial layer of lower s-wave velocity than the underlying
half-space. Other types of surface waves exist but are much less but significant from an
earthquake engineering standpoint. [2]

2.1 Rayliegh waves

Waves that propagate near the surface of a homogeneous elastic half-space were first studied
by Rayleigh (1885) and are now referred to as Rayleigh waves. To describe these waves,
consider a plane wave (see Figure 1) traveling in the x-direction, with no particle movement
in the y-direction (i.e., v = 0). The z-direction is taken as positive downward, meaning all
particle motion is confined to the x–z plane. To represent the displacements in the x and z
directions, two potential functions, Φ and Ψ, are introduced. [2]
𝜕Φ 𝜕Ψ
𝑢= + (7)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧
𝜕Φ 𝜕Ψ
𝑤= − (8)
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥
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 Wave propagation in a semi-infinite elastic half space

the volumetric strain (ε̅) = xx+zz

Figure 1 motion induced by atypical plane wave that propagates in the x-direction. Wave
motion does not vary in the y-direction.
∂𝑢 ∂𝑤 ∂ ∂Φ ∂Ψ ∂ ∂Φ ∂Ψ
ε̅ = + = ( + )+ ( − )
∂𝑥 ∂𝑧 ∂𝑥 ∂𝑥 ∂𝑧 ∂𝑧 ∂𝑧 ∂𝑥
𝜕 2Φ 𝜕 2Φ
𝜀̅ = ( 2 + 2 ) = ∇2 Φ (9)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧

The rotation in the x-z plane is given by

∂𝑢 ∂𝑤 ∂ ∂Φ ∂Ψ ∂ ∂Φ ∂Ψ
2ω
̅= − = ( + )− ( − )
∂𝑧 ∂𝑥 ∂𝑧 ∂𝑥 ∂𝑧 ∂𝑥 ∂𝑧 ∂𝑥
∂2 Φ ∂2 Ψ ∂2 Φ ∂2 Ψ
2ω
̅ = + − +
∂𝑥 ∂𝑧 ∂𝑥 2 ∂𝑥 ∂𝑧 ∂𝑧 2
𝜕 2Ψ 𝜕 2Ψ
̅ = ( 2 + 2 ) = ∇2 Ψ
2𝜔 (10)
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥

Substitute equation (7) & (9) in to (4)

𝜕 2 𝜕Φ 𝜕Ψ 𝜕 𝜕
𝜌 2
( − ) = (𝜆 + 2𝐺) (∇2 Φ) + 𝐺 (∇2 Ψ) (11)
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧
In similar Substitute equation (8) & (10) in to (6)

𝜕 2 𝜕Φ 𝜕Ψ 𝜕 𝜕 2
𝜌 2
( + ) = (𝜆 + 2𝐺) (∇2 Φ) − 𝐺 (∇ Ψ) (12)
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥
equations (8) & (10) will be satisfied if
∂2 Φ
1. 𝜌 ∂𝑡 2
= (λ + 2𝐺)∇2

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 Wave propagation in a semi-infinite elastic half space

𝑜𝑟

∂2 Φ λ + 2𝐺 2
= ∇ Φ = 𝑣𝑝2 ∇2 Φ (13)
∂𝑡 2 ρ

From wave theory in elastic solids, the P-wave velocity vp is given by:

λ + 2𝐺
𝑣𝑝 = √
ρ

λ + 2𝐺
⇒ 𝑣𝑝2 =
ρ
and
∂2 Ψ 𝐺
= ρ ∇2 Ψ = 𝑣𝑠2 ∇2 Ψ (14)
∂𝑡 2

𝐺
𝑣2𝑠 =
ρ

Now, consider a sinusoidal wave traveling in the positive x-direction let the solution of  and
  expressed as:

Φ = 𝐹(𝑧)𝑒 𝑖(ω𝑡−𝑘𝑅𝑥) (15)

Ψ = 𝐺(𝑧)𝑒 𝑖(ω𝑡−𝑘𝑅𝑥) (16)

Time derivative

∂2 Φ
2
= −ω2 𝐹(𝑧)𝑒 {𝑖(ω𝑡−𝑘𝑅𝑥}) (17)
∂𝑡
𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑆𝑝𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝐿𝑎𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑎𝑛

∂2 Φ ∂2 Φ
2
∇ Φ = 2
+ 2
= (−𝑘𝑅2 𝐹(𝑧) + 𝐹 ′′ (𝑧))𝑒 𝑖(ω𝑡−𝑘𝑅𝑥) (18)
∂𝑥 ∂𝑧
𝑆𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑤 𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (17) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (18) 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 (13)

ω2
−ω2 𝐹(𝑧) = 𝑣𝑝2 (−𝑘𝑅2 𝐹(𝑧) + 𝐹 ′′ (𝑧)) ⇒ 𝐹 ′′ (𝑧) = (𝑘𝑅2 − ) 𝐹(𝑧) (19)
𝑣𝑝2

ω2
Let α2 = 𝑘𝑅2 − ,\ so:
𝑣𝑝2

𝐹 ′′ (𝑧) = α2 𝐹(𝑧) ⇒ 𝐹(𝑧) = 𝐴1𝑒 −α𝑧 + 𝐴2𝑒 𝛼𝑧 (19)

𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑎𝑡𝑎𝑝𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 Ψ = 𝐺(𝑧)𝑒 𝑖(ω𝑡−𝑘𝑅𝑥) :

𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒

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 Wave propagation in a semi-infinite elastic half space

∂2 Ψ
= −ω2 𝐺(𝑧)𝑒 𝑖(ω𝑡−𝑘𝑅𝑥) (20)
∂𝑡 2
𝑆𝑝𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝐿𝑎𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑎𝑛

∇2 Ψ = (−𝑘𝑅2 𝐺(𝑧) + 𝐺 ′′ (𝑧))𝑒 𝑖(ω𝑡−𝑘𝑅𝑥) (21)

𝑆𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜𝑤𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛(20)𝑎𝑛𝑑(21)𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜(14)

−ω2 𝐺(𝑧) = 𝑣𝑠2 (−𝑘𝑅2 𝐺(𝑧) + 𝐺 ′′ (𝑧))

ω2
⇒𝐺 ′′ (𝑧)
= (𝑘𝑅2 − 2 ) 𝐺(𝑧) (22)
𝑣𝑠

ω2
2
Let β = 𝑘𝑅2 − 2 ,\ so:
𝑣𝑠

𝐺 ′′ (𝑧) = β2 𝐺(𝑧) ⇒ 𝐺(𝑧) = 𝐵1𝑒 −β𝑧 + 𝐵2𝑒 𝛽𝑧 (23)

The solution is to Eqs. (19) and (23) can be given as

𝐹(𝑧) = 𝐴1𝑒 −α𝑧 + 𝐴2𝑒 𝛼𝑧 (24)

𝐺(𝑧) = 𝐵1𝑒 −β𝑧 + 𝐵2𝑒 𝛽𝑧 (25)

From the above two equations, can be seen that A2 and B2 must be equal zero; otherwise, F(z)
and G(z) will approach infinity with depth, which is not the type of wave that is considerd
here. With A2 and B2 equal zero,

𝐹(𝑧) = 𝐴1 𝑒 −α𝑧 (26)

𝐺(𝑧) = 𝐵1 𝑒 −β𝑧 (27)

Combining Equations (15) & () Equations (16) & ()

Φ = 𝐴1 𝑒 −α𝑧 [𝑒 𝑖(ω𝑡−𝑘𝑅𝑥) ] (28)

Ψ = 𝐵1 𝑒 −β𝑧 [𝑒 𝑖(ω𝑡−𝑘𝑅𝑥) ] (29)

The boundary conditions for the tow preceding equations are at z = 0, σ𝑧 = 0 σ𝑧𝑥 =
0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 σ𝑧𝑦 = 0

𝜕w
𝜎𝑧=𝑜 = (𝜆𝜀̅ + 2𝐺εz ) = 𝜆𝜀̅ + 2𝐺 ( )=0 (30)
𝜕𝑧
Then combining Eqs. (8), (9) and (28), (30) one obtains

𝐴1 [(𝜆𝜀̅ + 2𝐺)𝛼 2 − 𝜆β2 ] − 2𝑖𝐵1 𝐺𝛽𝑘𝑅 = 0 (31)

𝐴1 (2𝑖𝐺𝛽𝑘𝑅 )
= (32)
𝐵1 [(𝜆𝜀̅ + 2𝐺)𝛼 2 − 𝜆β2 ]
Similarly;

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 Wave propagation in a semi-infinite elastic half space

𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑢
𝜎𝑥𝑧 = 𝐺𝛾𝑥𝑧 = 𝐺 ( + )=0 (33)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧

Again, combining Eqs. (8), (9) and (28),(29), (33) obtains

2𝑖𝐴1 𝛼𝛽 + {(𝑘}2𝑅 + β2 )𝐵1 (34)

𝐴1 (𝑘𝑅2 + β2 )
= (35)
𝐵1 2𝑖𝛼𝛽

Equating the right hand side of Eqs. (32) and (35)

(2𝑖𝐺β𝑘𝑅 ) {(𝑘}2𝑅 + β2 )
=
[(λ + 2𝐺)α2 − λβ2 ] 2𝑖αβ

4𝑖 2 𝐺𝛼β2 𝑘𝑅 = [(λ + 2𝐺)α2 − λβ2 ]{(𝑘}2𝑅 + β2 )

16𝐺 2 𝛼 2 β2 𝑘𝑅2 = (𝑘𝑅2 + β2 )2 [(𝜆 + 2𝐺)𝛼 2 − 𝜆β2 ]2 (36)

Substituting for q and b and then dividing both sides of Eq. (36) by 𝐺 2 α2 then we get
2 2
ω2 ω2 ω2 ω2
16 (1 − 2 2 ) (1 − 2 2 ) = [2 − (𝜆 + 2𝐺) 2 ] (2 − 2 2 ) (37)
𝑘𝑅 𝑣𝑝 𝑘𝑅 𝑣𝑠 𝑣𝑝 𝑘𝑅 𝑣𝑠

𝐾𝑅 = 2𝜋/𝑊𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ

𝑊𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ = 2𝜋/𝐾𝑅

𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝜈𝛾
𝑊𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ = = (38)
𝜔/2𝜋 𝜔/2𝜋

Where νγ is the Rayleigh wave velocity. Thus, from the above tow equation

νγ 2π ω
2𝜋/𝐾𝑅 = , 𝑜𝑟 𝐾𝑅 =
ω νγ

Then

ω2 ω2
= 2 = 𝑣𝑟2 /𝑣𝑝2 = 𝛾 2 𝑣 2 (39)
𝑘𝑅2 𝑣𝑝2 𝜔
𝑣𝑝2 (𝜈 )
𝛾

Similarly,

ω2 ω2
2 𝑣2 = 2 = 𝑣𝑟2 /𝑣𝑠2 = 𝑣 2 (40)
𝑘𝑅 𝜔
𝑠 𝑣𝑠2 ( )
𝜈𝛾

Where γ2 = 𝑣𝑠2 /𝑣𝑝2

However 𝑣𝑝2 = (λ + 2𝐺)/𝜌 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐺/

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 Wave propagation in a semi-infinite elastic half space

G
γ2 = (41)
(λ + 2𝐺)

Table 1 values of v
 V=υr/υs
0.25 0.919
0.29 0.926
0.33 0.933
0.4 0.943
0.5 0.955
2
The term γ can be expresd in terms of poissn’s ratio.
2ηG
λ= (42)
(1 − 2𝜂)
G(1 − 2𝜂) (1 − 2𝜂)
γ2 = = (43)
(2ηG + 2𝐺 − 4𝜂𝐺) (2 − 2𝜂)

Substitute Eqs. (39), (40), (41) into (37)

16(1 − γ2 𝑣 2 )(1 − 𝑣 2 ) = (2 − 𝑣 2 )2 − 𝑣 2 )2

𝑣 6 − 8𝑣 4 − (16γ2 − 24)𝑣 2 − 16(1 − γ2 ) = 0 (44)

Equation (44) is a cubic equation in 𝑣 2 for a given value of Poisson’s ratio, the proper value
of 𝑣 2 can be found and, hence so can the value of υr in terms of υp or υs.

2.2 Displacement of Rayleigh waves

From equation (7) & (8)

𝜕Φ 𝜕Ψ
𝑢= + (7)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧
𝜕Φ 𝜕Ψ
𝑤= − (8)
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥
Substituting the relations developed for Φ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 Ψ from Eqs. 15&16 in these eqs, one obtains

𝑢 = −(𝑖𝑘𝑅 𝐴1 𝑒 −𝛼𝑧 + 𝐵1 𝛽𝑒 −𝛼𝑧 )[𝑒 𝑖(ω𝑡−𝑘𝑅𝑥) ] (45)

𝑤 = −(𝛼𝐴1 𝑒 −𝛼𝑧 + 𝐵1 𝑖𝑘𝑅 𝑒 −𝛼𝑧 [𝑒 𝑖(ω𝑡−𝑘𝑅𝑥) ] (46)

Substitute B1 = −2𝑖𝛼𝑘𝑅 A1 /(𝑘𝑅2 + β2 ) into Eqs. (45) and (46)

2𝛼𝛽
𝑢 = 𝐴1 𝑘𝑅 (−𝑒 −𝛼𝑧 + 𝑒 −𝛽𝑧 ) [𝑒 𝑖(α𝑥−𝑘𝑅𝑡) ] (47)
𝑘𝑅 2 + 𝛽 2

9
 Wave propagation in a semi-infinite elastic half space

−𝛼𝑧
2𝑘𝑅 2
𝑤 = 𝐴1 𝛼 (−𝑒 + 𝑒 −𝛽𝑧 ) [𝑒 𝑖(α𝑥−𝑘𝑅𝑡) ] (48)
𝛽 2 + 𝑘𝑅 2
From the preceding two equations, it is obvious that the ratio of attenuation of the
displacement along the x-direction with depth z will depend on the factor U, where:

2𝛼𝛽 2(𝛼/𝑘𝑅 )(𝛽/𝑘𝑅 )

𝑈 = −𝑒 −𝛼𝑧 + 2 𝑒 −𝛽𝑧 = −𝑒 −𝛼/𝑘𝑅(𝑘𝑅𝑧) + [ ] 𝑒 −(𝛽/𝑘𝑅)(𝑘𝑅𝛽𝑧) (49)
𝑘𝑅 + 𝛽 2 𝛽 2 /𝑘𝑅 2 +1
Similarly, the rate of attenuation of the displacement along the z direction with depth will
depend on factor W, where:

2𝑘𝑅 2 2
𝑊 = −𝑒 −𝛼𝑧
+ 2 𝑒 −𝑘𝑅𝑧 = −𝑒 −𝛼/𝑘𝑅(𝑘𝑅𝑧) + 𝑒 −(𝛽/𝑘𝑅)(𝑘𝑅𝛽𝑧) (50)
𝑘𝑅 + 𝛽2 𝛽 2 /𝑘𝑅 2 +1
However,

ω2
𝛼 2 = 𝑘𝑅 2 −
𝑣𝑝2

𝛼2 ω2
2 = 1 − 2 = 1 − 𝑣𝑟2 /𝑣𝑝2 = 1 − 𝛾 2 𝑣 2 (51)
𝑘𝑅 𝑘𝑅 𝑣𝑝2

Also

ω2
𝛽 2 = 𝑘𝑅 2 −
𝑣𝑠2

𝛽2 ω2 𝑉2
= 1 − 2 2 = 1 − 2 = 1 − 𝑣2 (52)
𝑘𝑅 2 𝑘𝑅 𝑣𝑠 ν

If the poisson’s ratio is known, one candetermined the value of v

𝑘𝑅 /𝛼 = 0.8475

𝛽2
2 = 1 − 𝑉 2 = 1 − (0.9194)2 = 0.1547
𝑘𝑅

𝑜𝑟
𝛽
= 0.3933
𝑘𝑅
𝑈(𝜇 = 0.25) = −𝑒𝑥𝑝(−0.8475𝑓𝑧) + 0.5773𝑒𝑥𝑝(−0.3933𝑓𝑧) (53)

𝑊(𝜇 = 0.25) = −𝑒𝑥𝑝(−0.8475𝑓𝑧) + 1.7321𝑒𝑥𝑝(−0.3933𝑓𝑧) (54)

10
 Wave propagation in a semi-infinite elastic half space

Based on Eqs. (53) and (54), the following observations can be made:

1. The magnitude of U decreases rapidly with increasing value of fz. At fz =1.21, U

becomes equal to zero, so at z = 1.2/f, there is no motion parallel to the surface. It has
been shown in f = 2π/(wavelength). Thus, at z = 1.2/f = 1.21(wavelength)/2π =
0.194(wavelength), the value of U is zero. At greater depths, U becomes finite;
however, it is of the opposite sign, so the vibration takes place in opposite phase.

2. The magnitude of W first increases with fz, reaches a maximum value at z =

0.076(wavelength) (i.e., fz=0.4775), and then decreases with depth.

Figure 2 shows a nondimensional plot of the variation of amplitude of vertical and horizontal
components of Rayleigh waves with depth for μ=0.25. Equations (53) and (54) show that the
path of a particle in the medium is an ellipse with its major axis normal to the surface.
2.3 Attenuation of the Amplitude of Elastic Waves with Distance
If an impulsive or short duration is created at the surface of an elastic half-space, the field
waves travel into the medium with hemispherical wave fronts, as shown in Figure 3. The
wave front is spherical in three dimensions and along a hemispherical shell. At some distance
from the source, the maximum amplitude of the ground will be of the nature shown in Figure
4. Since P-waves are the fastest, they will arrive first, followed by S-waves and then the
Rayleigh waves. As may be seen from Figure 4, the ground displacement due to the Rayleigh
wave arrival is much greater than that for P- and S-waves. The amplitude of disturbance
gradually decreases with distance.

displacement of the ground will be of the nature shown in Figure 4. Since P-waves are the
fastest, they will arrive first, followed by S-waves and then the Rayleigh waves. As may be
seen from Figure 4, the ground displacement due to the Rayleigh wave arrival is much greater
than that for P- and S-waves. The amplitude of disturbance gradually decreases with distance.
[2]

11
 Wave propagation in a semi-infinite elastic half space

Figure 2: Variation of the amplitude of vibration of the horizontal and vertical components of
Rayleigh waves with depth (μ = 0.25). [2]

Figure 3— Propagation of Body Waves and Rayleigh Waves [2]

When body waves propagate outward along a hemispherical wave front, the energy is
distributed over an area that grows with the square of the radius.

𝐸 ′ ∝ 1/𝑟 2

Here, E′ represents the energy per unit area, and r is the radial distance. Since the amplitude is
proportional to the square root of the energy per unit area, we have:

1 1
Amplitude ∝ √𝐸 ′ ∝ √ 2
=
𝑟 𝑟

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 Wave propagation in a semi-infinite elastic half space

For body waves traveling along the surface of the half-space only, the amplitude also
decreases in proportion to 1/√𝑟.

In contrast, Rayleigh waves, which propagate along a cylindrical wave front, have an
amplitude that is inversely proportional to 1/√𝑟 . This means Rayleigh waves attenuate more
slower than body waves.

The reduction in wave amplitude due to spatial spreading is known as geometrical damping.
Additionally, waves experience further attenuation due to material damping, which results
from energy loss due to absorption in real-world materials.

Taking both geometrical and material damping into account, the vertical amplitude of
Rayleigh waves can be expressed as:
̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝑟1
𝑤𝑛 = 𝑤1 √ exp[−𝛽 (𝑟𝑛 − 𝑟1 )]
̅̅̅̅
𝑟𝑛

Figure 5 wave systems from surface point surface in ideal medium (after Richart, Hall, and
Woods, 1970) [2]

13
 Wave propagation in a semi-infinite elastic half space

Reference

Kramer, S. L. (1996). Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering.

Das, B. M. (2010). Principles of Soil Dynamics (2nd ed.).

Shamsher Prakash. Soil dynamics

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