Wave propagation in a linear transversely isotropic electroactive elastomer

In the present paper, the linearized theory of a transversely isotropic electroactive elastomer is used to analyze plane and surface wave characteristics. The transversely isotropic elastomer is considered with electroactive particles aligned in a preferred direction in the presence of an external applied field. The equations of motion are specialized to a two-dimensional setting and homogeneous plane and Rayleigh-type surface waves are considered. The two-dimensional governing equations are solved to obtain plane and surface wave solutions. Plane wave solutions of the governing equations lead to a velocity equation which indicates the propagation of two plane waves. The surface wave solutions satisfy the required boundary conditions which lead to a secular equation for Rayleigh-type wave speed. A numerical example is considered to illustrate graphically the wave speeds of plane and Rayleigh-type waves.