Effect of surface stress on wave propagation in solids

In this paper we consider an elastic half-space whose free surface is an elastic surface capable of supporting its own stress field. This surface stress is a function of surface strain and is related to the stress in the interior of the body by a nonclassical boundary condition. We here study, within the framework of the appropriate linearized theory, the reflection of plane harmonic waves by the free surface. We show that at very high frequencies the presence of surface stress results in a marked departure from the classical theory.