Bulk heterogeneous plane waves propagation through viscoelastic plates and stratified media with large values of frequency domain

This paper introduces the bulk heterogeneous waves concept into the well known Thomson-Haskell method for computing transmission/reflection coefficients through stratified media. If one of the layers is absorbing, bulk heterogeneous waves are generated at interfaces with other layers and the generalized Snell's laws for heterogeneous modes have to be used. This method was reported to be unstable for large values of frequency domain (FD), the product of the frequency and the medium thickness. The new expression for the matrix transfer between interfaces given in this paper is tested with large values of FD, without showing instability. Large values of FD imply significant effects of attenuation, which is frequency dependent. One particular effect is the interface transmission of modes beyond the limit angle if it is defined with the homogeneous waves concept. This is shown with acquired and simulated waveforms, after transmission through an epoxy layer. Waveforms transmitted by adhesive joints are also presented.