The standard equation method in the dynamics of structurally inhomogeneous elastic media (Q1070851)

The development of the standard equation method is examined for studying harmonic wave propagation in stochastically inhomogeneous elastic media. The Helmholtz operator equation describing the propagation of a mean scalar field in a medium is investigated as the standard equation. For an arbitrary correlation function of the elastic coefficients of the medium, the roots of the dispersion equation are found by expanding them in a series in the dispersion parameter, and the eigenvectors of the operator are correspondingly determined approximately. For media of the exponential class, the roots and eigenfunctions of the standard problem are determined exactly. Results obtained in solving the standard problem, are used in investigating wave propagation in elastic media; the roots and eigenvectors are found in the form of a series expansion in the dispersion. A relationship is set up between the spectra of the elastic operator and the operator of the standard problem. Formulas are obtained to find the mean elastic fields (including the eigenvectors) in terms of the mean standard functions in the form of scattering series.