Reflection of plane waves from an elastic solid half-space under hydrostatic initial stress without energy dissipation

In this paper, the basic governing equations for isotropic and homogeneous generalized thermoelastic half-space under hydrostatic initial stress are formulated in the context of the Green and Naghdi theory of types II and III. These governing equations are solved analytically to obtain the dimensional velocities in an xy-plane. It is shown that there exist three plane waves, namely a thermal wave, a P-wave and an SV-wave. The reflection from an insulated and isothermal stress-free surface is studied to obtain the reflection amplitude ratios of the reflected waves for the incidence of P- and SV-waves. Numerical computations are carried out and comparisons made with the results predicted in the presence and absence of hydrostatic initial stress. Also the effect of the thermoelastic coupling parameter and the thermal condition on amplitude ratios are shown graphically. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.