Elastodynamic End Effects in Structural Mechanics

Current status of research on decay of dynamic end effects in elastic structures aiming at formulation of a dynamic analogue to Saint-Venant’s principle (DSVP) are critically reviewed. Article concentrates on isotropic homogeneous linear elastic response over a range of structural geometries including waveguides, with either free or constrained lateral surfaces, half space, wedges and cones. Nearly 200 references are examined in context of DSVP, starting with early ideas by Boley. Special attention is placed on available experimental findings on end effects and decay rate in dynamically excited structures. Current perception of possible versions of DSVP is classified into several categories, one of which, namely that of dynamic equivalence, is compatible with much of known experimental data and has been tacitly applied at various engineering situations. That observation, along with a perspective view on evolution of the traditional SVP, provides inspiring ground for renewed interest in both practical and theoretical aspects of DSVP formulation.