Scattering of plane sh waves by a semi‐elliptical canyon

Abstract

Abstract In this paper we analyse the two‐dimensional scattering and diffraction of plane SH waves by a semi‐elliptical canyon. The exact series solution of the problem, for general angle of incidence of the plane SH waves, has been used to examine the dependence of surface amplifications inside and near the canyon. The nature of ground motion has been found to depend on two key parameters: (a) The angle of incidence. (b) The ratio of the canyon width to the wave length of incident SH waves. For short incident waves surface displacement amplitudes change rapidly from one point to another, while for the long waves and shallow canyons displacement amplitudes display only minor departure from the uniform half‐space amplification of 2. For shallow canyons and long incident waves, the angle of incidence introduces only minor changes into the overall behaviour of surface amplitudes. For deep canyons and nearly grazing incidences, a prominent shadow zone is realized behind the canyon.