Published online by Cambridge University Press: 20 January 2009
In the full linear theory of thermoelasticity there is a coupling between the thermal and the purely mechanical effects so that not only does a nonuniform distribution of temperature in the solid produce a state of stress but dynamical body forces or applied surface tractions produce variations in temperature throughout the body. In a recent paper (Eason and Sneddon, (2)) an account was given of the calculation of the dynamic stresses produced in elastic bodies, both infinite and semi-infinite, by uneven heating. In this paper we shall consider the propagation of thermal stresses in an infinite medium when, in addition to heat sources, there are present body forces which vary with the time.