Acceleration Wave Propagation in a Nonlinear Viscoelastic Solid

In this study the growth and decay of one-dimensional acceleration waves in nonlinear viscoelastic solids are considered. The conditions governing the growth and decay, including the concept of a critical acceleration level derived by Coleman and Gurtin, are discussed in terms of certain relevant material functions. It is shown that these material functions can be determined from the results of experimental shock wave-propagation studies. The experimental methods used to generate and observe acceleration waves in solids are discussed and applied to the propagation of acceleration waves in the polymer, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). It was found that the conditions derived by Coleman and Gurtin accurately predict the experimentally observed behavior of acceleration waves in PMMA.