An analysis of surface acoustic wave propagation in a plate of functionally graded materials with a layered model

In a homogeneous plate, Rayleigh waves will have a symmetric and anti-symmetric mode regarding to the mid-plane with different phase velocities. If plate properties vary along the thickness, or the plate is of functionally graded material (FGM), the symmetry of modes and frequency behavior will be modified, thus producing different features for engineering applications such as amplifying or reducing the velocity and deformation. This kind of effect can also be easily realized by utilizing a layered structure with desired material properties that can produce these effects in terms of velocity and displacements, since Rayleigh waves in a solid with general material property grading schemes are difficult to analyze with known methods. Solutions from layered structures with exponential and polynomial property grading schemes are obtained from the layered model and comparisons with known analytical results are made to validate the method and examine possible applications of such structures in engineering. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 10432030, 10125209, and 10572065) and the Teaching and Research Award Program for Outstanding Young Teachers in Higher Education Institutions, Ministry of Education of China, and also supported by Qianjiang River Fellow Fund established by Zhejiang Provincial Government and Ningbo University and administered by Ningbo University, Zhejiang, China