Dynamics of a system comprising an orthotropic layer and orthotropic half-plane under the action of an oscillating moving load

Abstract

This paper investigates the dynamic response to a time-harmonic oscillating moving load of a system comprising a covering layer and half-plane, within the scope of the piecewise-homogeneous body model utilizing of the exact equations of the linear theory of elastodynamics. It is assumed that the materials of the layer and half-plane are anisotropic (orthotropic), and that the velocity of the line-located time-harmonic oscillating moving load is constant as it acts on the free face of the covering layer. Our investigations were carried out for a two-dimensional problem (plane-strain state) under subsonic velocity for a moving load in complete and incomplete contact conditions. The corresponding numerical results were obtained for the stiffer layer and soft half-plane system in which the modulus of elasticity of the covering layer material (for the moving direction of the load) is greater than that of the half-plane material. Numerical results are presented and discussed for the critical velocity, displacement and stress distribution for various values of the problem parameters. In particular, it is established that the critical velocity of the moving load is controlled mainly with a Rayleigh wave speed of a half-plane material and the existence of the oscillation of the moving load causes two types of critical velocity to appear: one of which is less, but the other one is greater than that attained for the case where the mentioned oscillation is absent. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.