Viscoelastic fluid effect on the surface wave propagation

Abstract

A novel approach based on the exact theory has been developed to accurately predict the behavior of surface Love wave propagating in elastic waveguide loaded on its surface with a viscoelastic fluid. A detailed study was conducted by varying key parameters such as operating frequency, waveguide and substrate. The waveguide surface was subjected to various glycerol concentrations, with a wide range of dynamic viscosity, representing both Newtonian and viscoelastic behaviors. The dispersion curves of attenuation and phase velocity are investigated in function of the above parameters in order to evaluate their sensitivity. The numerical solutions show that the attenuation and phase velocity of surface Love wave are strongly correlated with waveguide thickness and glycerol concentrations. Results also highlighted the substrate thickness effect on the vibration characteristics of the Love wave. Moreover, the Love wave triggers a viscoelastic response in water–glycerol mixtures similar to that of literature. The obtained results are fundamental and can serve as benchmark solution in design of Love wave sensors.