Modelling of thermoelastic Rayleigh waves in a solid underlying a fluid layer with varying temperature

The present paper is aimed at to study the propagation of surface waves in a homogeneous isotropic, thermally conducting and elastic solid underlying a layer of viscous liquid with finite thickness in the context of generalized theories of thermoelasticity. The secular equations for non-leaky Rayleigh waves, in compact form are derived after developing the mathematical model. The amplitude ratios of displacements and temperature change in both media at the surface (interface) are also obtained. The liquid layer has successfully been modeled as thermal load in addition to normal (hydrostatic pressure) one, which is the distinctive feature of the present study and missing in earlier researches. Finally, the numerical solution is carried out for aluminum-epoxy composite material solid (half-space) underlying a viscous liquid layer of finite thickness. The computer simulated results for dispersion curves, attenuation coefficient profiles, amplitude ratios of surface displacements and temperature change have been presented graphically, in order to illustrate and compare the theoretical results. The present analysis can be utilized in electronics and navigation applications in addition to surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices.