Dispersive elastodynamics of 1D banded materials and structures: analysis

The elastodynamics of 1D periodic materials and finite structures comprising these materials are studied with particular emphasis on correlating their frequency-dependent characteristics and on elucidating their pass-band and stop-band behaviors. Dispersion relations are derived for periodic materials and are employed in a novel manner for computing both pass-band and stop-band complex mode shapes. Through simulations of harmonically induced wave motion within a finite number of unit cells, conformity of the frequency band structure between infinite and finite periodic systems is shown. In particular, only one or two unit cells of a periodic material could be sufficient for “frequency bandedness” to carry over from the infinite periodic case, and only three to four unit cells are necessary for the decay in normalized transmission within a stop band to practically saturate with an increase in the number of cells. Dominant speeds in the scattered wave field within the same finite set of unit cells are observed to match those of phase and group velocities of the infinite periodic material within the most active pass band. Dynamic response due to impulse excitation also is shown to capture the infinite periodic material dynamical characteristics. Finally, steady-state vibration analyses are conducted on a finite fully periodic structure revealing a conformity in the natural frequency spread to the frequency band layout of the infinite periodic material. The steady-state forced response is observed to exhibit mode localization patterns that resemble those of the infinite periodic medium, and it is shown that the maximum localized response under stop-band conditions could be significantly less than in an equivalent homogenous structure and the converse is true for pass-band conditions.