Dynamic response of an elastic half-space to time-dependent surface tractions over an embedded spherical cavity

Abstract

The dynamic problem of the deformation of a homogeneous, perfectly elastic and isotropic half space due to harmonically time-dependent tractions over the boundary of an embedded spherical cavity is discussed. The solution is developed completely and rigorously by a method of successive approximations. Lamb’s solution for a point source in a half-space is derived as a limit case of the general solution. The problem is suggested by its applications in the theory of underground explosions and in seismology.