Effect of anisotropy and inhomogeneity on Love wave dispersion

Summary An analysis is carried out of the Love wave propagation in a system consisting of an anisotropic, inhomogeneous layer bounded on either side by homogeneous, isotropic solid halfspaces. The period equation is obtained, which incorporates in it the effects of a typical variation of directional rigidities and density in the layer on dispersive properties of the Love waves. The conditions for the existence of the real roots of the frequency equation is brought out in the form of limits on phase velocity values. Corresponding to these values, the frequency equation is discussed in different wave length ranges. Numerical computation is done to analyse the variation of (i) Phase and Group velocity and (ii) Amplitudes (at different depths), with wave number. Conclusions on the significant results follow in the end.