Static Green's functions in multilayered half spaces

This paper presents an efficient and accurate method for the calculation of static Green's functions in a multilayered transversely isotropic or isotropic half space. The cylindrical system of vector functions and the propagator matrix method are used To derive the Green's functions in the transformed domain. The well-known exponentially growing elements in the propagator matrix are fractionated out by propagating the matrix either upwards or downwards, depending upon the relative vertical location of the source and field points. The Green's functions in the physical domain are evaluated numerically by an adaptive Gauss quadrature with continued fraction expansions. Numerical examples are presented to show that very accurate Green's functions with relatively less Gauss quadrature points can be obtained. These examples also show clearly the effect of material layering and anisotropy on the displacement and stress fields. (C) 1997 by Elsevier Science Inc.