Dynamic stress concentration for multiple multilayered inclusions embedded in an elastic half-space subjected to SH-waves

• Dynamic stress concentration of multiple layered inclusions embedded within a half-space when subjected to an SH-wave is considered.
• A non-hypersingular boundary element method is employed to evaluate the stresses.
• The method is tested by exact analytical solutions.
• Numerical simulations reveal the effects of multiple scattering, layering, and impedance contrast of the layers on the stresses.

The dynamic stress concentration factor (DSCF) is evaluated along the interfaces of multiple multilayered inclusions embedded in a half-space when subjected to a plane harmonic SH-wave. A weak form of Helmholtz equation is utilized to derive a non-hypersingular boundary integral equations to compute the stresses. Eliminating the need to rely on hypersingular integrals, greatly simplifies the procedure. The numerical results obtained by the proposed method, are validated against analytical solutions.Various contributing factors that can influence the DSCF are investigated, including multiple scattering, layering, stiffness of the adjacent inclusions, and impedance contrast of the layers. The DSCF is found to be highly prone to these changes, particularly with the soft materials. Therefore, accurate analysis of stresses requires models that consider multiple scattering and layering. The presented result could be used for predicting the seismic failure of pipes and underground tunnels and for estimating the stress failure in strong ground motion seismology due to subsurface irregularities.