Wave propagation in bimodular media

This work studies wave propagation in bimodular media with an arbitrary difference between elastic moduli in tension and compression. The phenomenon of energy dissipation occurring in bimodular materials due to formation of shock waves is analysed. The thesis provides analytical solution of the governing equations relating the amount of dissipated energy at the shock front to its velocity and stress states behind and ahead of the shock front. The bimodular medium is modelled using (i) discrete approach, i.e. analysing vibrations in a chain of bilinear oscillators, and (ii) continuous approach, i.e. solving hyperbolic wave propagation equations in a bimodular rod.