Parametric resonance in non-linear elastodynamics

We show that finite amplitude shearing motions superimposed on an unsteady simple extension are admissible in any incompressible isotropic elastic material. We show that the determining equations for these shearing motions admit a general reduction to a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) in the remarkable case of generalized circularly polarized transverse waves. When these waves are standing and the underlying unsteady simple extension is composed of a harmonic perturbation of a static stretch it is possible to reduce the determining ODEs to linear or non-linear Mathieu equations. We use this property for a detailed study of the phenomenon of parametric resonance in non-linear elastodynamics. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved..