Diffraction of plane sh waves in a half‐space

Abstract

Abstract Scattering of antiplane shear waves (SH) in two dimensions by surface and near‐surface defects in a homogeneous, isotropic elastic semi‐infinite medium has been studied. Attention has been focused here in the range of medium to long wavelengths. A combined finite element and analytical technique has been used to study the problems of scattering by semi‐circular and triangular canyons. The results for the former case are compared with the known exact solution and those for the latter case are compared with some available approximate solutions. Finally a problem of multiple scattering by a triangular canyon and a nearby circular tunnel is studied. Numerical results are presented showing the effects of multiple scattering and different angles of incidence. These results are of interest in earthquake engineering.