Longitudinal waves in one dimensional non-uniform waveguides

Wave approach is used to analyze the longitudinal wave motion in one dimensional non-uniform waveguides. With assumptions of constant wave velocity and no wave conversion, there exist four types of non-uniform rods and corresponding traveling wave solutions are investigated. The obtained results indicate that the kinetic energy is preserved as a constant and the wave amplitude is inversely proportional to square root of the cross-sectional area of the rod. Under certain condition, there exists a cut-off frequency for the rod with variation in geometric or material properties, below which waves do not propagate along the non-uniform rod. For the rod with arbitrary variable cross-section, the conclusions are similar if the wave frequency is high enough. And a series solution of the wave motion is presented. (C) 2011 The Chinese Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics.