ON THE EXISTENCE OF STATIONARY NONLINEAR RAYLEIGH-WAVES

The existence of stationary nonlinear Rayleigh waves is investigated theoretically on the basis of new model equations for the propagation of finite amplitude Rayleigh waves in isotropic solids [E. A. Zabolotskaya, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 91, 2569-2575 (1992)]. The spectral components of the proposed stationary waveforms are governed by coupled quadratic algebraic equations that are similar in form to those used by Parker and Talbot [J. Elast. 15, 389-426 (1985)]. However, whereas the theoretical investigation of Parker and Talbot predicted the existence of stationary nonlinear Rayleigh waves, the present investigation does not, unless artificial constraints are imposed on the frequency spectrum. Differences between nonlinearity in Rayleigh wave propagation in isotropic solids and nonlinearity in sound wave propagation in fluids is briefly discussed.