Non-fourier dynamic thermoelasticity with temperature-dependent thermal properties

This study numerically investigates the effect of temperature-dependent thermal conductivity, specific heat, and density on coupled, non-Fourier dynamic thermoelastic models involving relaxation times. The thermal response of a semi-infinite slab to both a step change and linear, ramp increase in applied surface temperature is presented. It is observed that a thermal conductivity which decreases with temperature results in reduced temperature gradients, and therefore reduced maximum displacements and stresses. However, decreasing specific heat or density with temperature causes increased temperature gradients, and therefore increased displacements and stresses. In addition to altering the magnitudes of the displacements and stresses, the variable properties also result in phase shifts of the displacement and stress waves. The ramp increase in surface temperature results in displacement and stress waves of lower magnitudes that are spread over a longer time interval compared to the results for the step change in surface temperature.