On the wave dispersion in microstructured solids

In this paper, elastic wave propagation in a one-dimensional micromorphic medium characterized by two internal variables is investigated. The evolution equations are deduced following two different approaches, namely using: (i) the balance of linear momentum and the Clausius–Duhem inequality, and (ii) an assumed Lagrangian functional (including a gyroscopic coupling) together with a variational principle. The dispersion relation is obtained and the possibility of the emerging band gaps is shown in such microstructured materials. Some numerical simulations are also performed in order to highlight the dispersive nature of the material under study.