Antiplane surface acoustic waves propagating in elastic half-space coated with an anisotropic laminate

Dispersion relation of antiplane surface acoustic waves (SAWs) propagating in elastic half-space coated with an anisotropic laminate was determined explicitly by means of Stroh’s formalism within the subsonic range, where is no energy leakage into the substrate. During the procedure, the governing dynamic equation in each anisotropic layer and the displacement–traction continuity at interfaces were exactly satisfied by Stroh’s functions. Explicit algebraic equation was derived for determining the dispersion relation. As an example, the wave number vs. phase velocity diagram for steel half-space coated with a graphite-fiber/epoxy laminate with a [±45°/0°2] lay-up was demonstrated. The given method can be used for the study of SAW properties of anisotropic coating systems and non-destructive evaluation based on surface/guided wave methods.