Modelling of thermoelastic Lamb waves in a plate bordered with viscous fluid of varying temperature

The propagation of thermoelastic waves in a homogeneous isotropic, thermally conducting plate bordered with layers (or half-spaces) of a viscous fluid on both sides is investigated. The problem has been modeled by employing non classical theory of thermoelasticity to carry the investigation. The secular equations for governing the symmetric and antisymmetric wave motion of the plate, in completely separate terms, are derived. The results in the context of classical conventional coupled and uncoupled theories of thermoelasticity in case of viscous and inviscid fluid loadings have been obtained as particular cases from the present analysis. The regions of the secular equation, waves of short wavelength and waves of long wavelength have also been discussed and deduced. Finally, in order to illustrate the analytical results, the numerical solution is carried out for an aluminum-epoxy composite material plate bordered with layers (or half-spaces) of light and heavy water. The results have been deduced and compared with the existing ones in relevant publications available in the literature at various stages of this work.