Open AccessA semi‐numerical method for elastic wave scattering calculations
Author(s) -
Mal Ajit,
Chang Zensheu
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
geophysical journal international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.302
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1365-246X
pISSN - 0956-540X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-246x.2000.01244.x
Subject(s) - scattering , geology , geophysics , computational physics , physics , optics
This paper is concerned with the calculation of elastic wavefields in strongly heterogeneous media containing scatterers of arbitrary shape and size. A hybrid method is described in which the elastodynamic field within a finite region enclosing the scatterers is modelled by finite elements while the field away from this region is represented by means of a suitable set of wave functions. Application of a variational principle and the continuity conditions at the interface between the two regions lead to a system of linear equations that is solved by standard techniques. The hybrid method extends the applicability of the finite element method to wave propagation problems in unbounded media by rigorously modelling the radiation field. The method is used to calculate the elastodynamic field in a plate of finite thickness and infinite lateral dimensions containing geometric discontinuities.