On generalized thermoelastic disturbances in an elastic solid with a spherical cavity

In this paper, a generalized dynamical theory of thermoelasticity is employed to study disturbances in an infinite elastic solid containing a spherical cavity which is subjected to step rise in temperature in its inner boundary and an impulsive dynamic pressure on its surface. The problem is solved by the use of the Laplace transform on time. The short time approximations for the stress, displacement and temperature are obtained to examine their discontinuities at the respective wavefronts. It is shown that the instantaneous change in pressure and temperature at the cavity wall gives rise to elastic and thermal disturbances which travel with finite velocities v 1 and v 2 ( > v 1 ) respectively. The stress, displacement and temperature are found to experience discontinuities at the respective wavefronts. One of the significant findings of the present analysis is that there is no diffusive nature of the waves as found in classical theory.