Propagation and Scattering of SH-Waves in Semi-Infinite Domains Using a Time-Dependent Boundary Element Method

The propagation and scattering of SH-waves of general form is investigated using the boundary element method. Attention is focused on semi-infinite regions containing subsurface cavities. The analysis is carried out within the context of linear elastodynamic theory formulated as an integral equation. Using a time-dependent Green’s function for the half space, the boundary integral equation is developed and is discretized into a finite set of algebraic relations. A time-stepping algorithm is constructed for the solution of general boundary value—initial value problems. Results of this solution technique are presented for the two-dimensional case of transient waves scattering off of buried stress-free cavities.