Transient Dynamic Response of Thermoelastic Cylindrical Layered Media

In this study, the transient dynamic response of thermoelastic, hollow circular cylindrical composites consisting of n-different isotropic, homogeneous and elastic layers is investigated. Thermomechanical behavior of each layer is governed by the equations of generalized thermoelasticity with two relaxation times predicting finite wave speeds for thermal disturbances [

1

]–[

2

]. The body is subjected to uniform dynamic mechanical and thermal inputs at inner and/or outer surfaces. The time dependence of the dynamic inputs may be arbitrary. The cylindrical composite is of finite thickness in the radial direction and extends to infinity in the axial direction. The layers of the body are assumed to be perfectly bonded to each other. Furthermore, the layered medium is assumed to be initially at rest. The governing field equations of generalized thermoelasticity with two relaxation times are applied to each layer and the solutions are required to satisfy the continuity conditions at the interfaces of the layers, the boundary conditions at the inner and outer surfaces, and quiescent initial conditions. Method of characteristics is employed to obtain the solutions [

3

]. The convergence and numerical stability of the method are well established, and different interface, boundary and initial conditions can be handled conveniently. The solutions reveal the existence of two wave fronts. The numerical results are displayed in curves denoting the variations of circumferential and radial stresses and temperature deviation with time at different locations and variations of stresses and temperature deviation along the thickness of the bodies at different times. The solutions reveal clearly the thermal and geometric dispersions in the wave profiles and the effects of refractions and reflections at the interfaces and at inner and outer surfaces of the body. The curves further display the severe variations in the field variables at the wave fronts.