abstract
The characteristic frequency equation for Love waves propagating in a finite layer overlying an anisotropic and inhomogeneous half-space is derived. This frequency equation takes into account the arbitrary variation of density, elastic parameters, and degree of anisotropy factor in the half-space. In fact, the problem of deriving the frequency equation has been reduced to finding the solution of the equation of motion subject to the appropriate boundary conditions. To illustrate the method, the author has derived the frequency equation for a generalized power law variation of density and elastic parameters with the depth, in the halfspace.
As a step toward the systematic investigation of the effects of anisotropy and inhomogeneity, the relationship between the wave number and phase and group velocities has been worked out for increasing, uniform and decreasing anisotropy factor. The pronounced effects of anisotropy have been noticed in the long-period range compared to the short-period one. The numerical analysis shows that for a given phase velocity (or group velocity), the period of propagation depends on the sign and magnitude of power of variation of the density and anisotropy factor in the half-space. For the increased positive rate of variation of the anisotropy factor, the values of phase and group velocities have been found higher whereas the reverse is found true for an increasing negative rate of variation of the anisotropy factor.
