Quasi-Rayleigh Waves in Transversely Isotropic Half-Space with Inclined Axis of Symmetry

A method for determination of characteristics of quasi-Rayleigh (qR) wave in a transversely isotropic homogeneous half-space with inclined axis of symmetry is outlined. The solution is obtained as a superposition of qP, qSV and qSH waves, and surface wave velocity is determined from the boundary conditions at the free surface and at infinity, as in case of Rayleigh wave in an isotropic half-space. Though the theory is simple enough, a numerical procedure for calculation of surface wave velocity presents some difficulties. The difficulty is caused by necessity to calculate complex roots of a non-linear equation, which in turn contains functions determined as roots of non-linear equations with complex coefficients. Numerical analysis shows that roots of the equation corresponding to the boundary conditions do not exist in the whole domain of azimuths and inclinations of the symmetry axis. The domain of existence of qR wave depends on the ratio of the elastic parameters: for some strongly anisotropic models the wave cannot exist at all. For some angles of inclination qR-wave velocities deviate from those calculated on the basis of the perturbation method valid for weak anisotropy, though they have the same tendency of variation with azimuth. The phase of qR wave varies with depth unlike Rayleigh wave in an isotropic half-space. Unlike Rayleigh wave in an isotropic half-space, qR wave has three components - vertical, radial and transverse. Particle motion in horizontal plane is elliptic. Direction of the major axis of the ellipsis coincides with the direction of propagation only in azimuths 0° (180°) and 90° (270°).