Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 May 2011
The transient motion in an anisotropic elastic half-space due to a moving surface line load is considered. The load is applied suddenly on the surface and moves off in a fixed direction with nonuniform speed. Integral expressions for the displacements are derived using the reciprocal theorem. The waves generated by the moving load are discussed. Special attention is paid to the singularities in surface displacements generated as the load moves through the Rayleigh wave speed. Explicit expression is obtained for the particle velocity due to a constant load moving with constant speed.