It is shown that if we know the Love's strain function due to the existence of any
arbitrary axisymmetric singularity in the elastic whole space, then the corresponding
Love's function due to the existence of the same singularity in the interior of one
of two dissimilar semi-infinite solids separated by a dissimilar thick layer can be
obtained by differentiation and integration of that for the elastic whole space. This
discovery rests on the principle that to every singularity in the layered space there
will correspond an infinite system of images. Remarkably, the number of images
is finite when the phases have equal rigidities but different compressibilities. The
analysis thus brings under one general theorem the solutions due to such influencing
singularities as a normal point force, a normal point force doublet, an infinitesimal
prismatic dislocation loop, a centre of dilatation and a dilatation doublet. From the
theorem, we readily infer that the elastic field at large distances from any arbitrary
axisymmetric influencing singularity becomes nearly that for two perfectly bonded
semi-infinite solids without an interface layer.