Thermodynamic influences on one dimensional shock waves and induced discontinuities in thermoelastic bodies and second order effects (Q1072738)

The behavior of one-dimensional shock waves and induced discontinuities propagating in thermoelastic bodies is examined. We consider specific representations of the constitutive relations and show that to within second order of the shock strength differences between the predictions of thermoelastic and elastic theories are manifested. In particular, the shock speed is greater, the evolutionary behavior of the shock amplitude and that of the induced discontinuity are less pronounced in the thermoelastic theory. We also exhibit certain features of the solution of the coupled equations governing the behavior of shocks and induced discontinuities.