Wave Propagation in Solids (HS 2015) 151-0525-00L

Assignment 4: Nonlinear Waves and 1-D Discrete Lattices

Due on Monday, 07/12/2015 at 5:00pm in CLA J15.1

Note: Show the details of your calculation procedures for every problem.

Problem 1 (50 points). Lennard-Jones lattice with three-atom unit cell

Consider a one-dimensional lattice with three-atom unit cell as shown in the figure. The unit cell is
composed of two atoms with mass M and one atom with mass m, as in the schematics. The interaction
potential V(r) between each atom is the Lennard-Jones potential which is defined as

𝜎 12 𝜎 6
𝑉(𝑟) = 𝜀 [( ) − 2 ( ) ]
𝑟 𝑟

Here, r is the center-to-center distance between two atoms. The Lennard-Jones parameters for the interaction
between 𝑚 and 𝑀 are 𝜀 = 𝜀0 and 𝜎 = 𝜎0 . The parameters for the interaction between 𝑀 and 𝑀 are
𝜀 = 𝑝𝜀0 and 𝜎 = 𝑞𝜎0 . Consider only the linear dynamic regime (small oscillations) and assume the chain
to be infinite. Note that each atom is oscillating around its equilibrium position and the diameter of each
atom is negligible.

1. Calculate the equilibrium distance between two atoms with mass M, and between an atom with mass M
and an atom with mass m. Also, determine the lattice constant 𝑎. (10 pts)

2. Calculate the linear spring constant for the spring connecting two atoms with mass M, and for the spring
between an atom with mass M and an atom with mass m. (10 pts)

3. Derive the equations of motion of the system and obtain a matrix eigenvalue equation 𝐌(𝜔, 𝑘)𝒖 = 𝟎,
where 𝐌(𝜔, 𝑘) is a 3 × 3 matrix and 𝒖 is a 3 × 1 vector. (15 pts)
𝝅 𝝅
4. Draw the dispersion curve (𝝎 − 𝒌 diagram) for 𝒌 ∈ [− 𝒂 , 𝒂], the first Brillouin-zone and indicates the
band-gap regions. How many branches are in the dispersion diagram? Can you explain what these branches
represent by showing the behavior of the atoms in a unit cell? Also, determine all angular frequency values
at 𝑘 = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑘 = 𝜋/𝑎. You may need to use MATLAB to obtain the angular frequencies. (15 pts)
Wave Propagation in Solids (HS 2015) 151-0525-00L

Assignment 4: Nonlinear Waves and 1-D Discrete Lattices

Due on Monday, 07/12/2015 at 5:00pm in CLA J15.1

Problem 2 (50 points). Blood pressure wave and the Korteweg-de Vries equation

Consider the system of equations, which describes the blood pressure wave, discussed in class.

∂2 𝐴̃ ∂𝑣̃ ∂𝑣̃ 𝜕𝑝̃ ∂𝐴̃ ∂(𝐴̃𝑣̃)

+ (𝐴̃ − 1) = 𝑝̃ ; + 𝑣̃ = − ; + = 0 (1)
𝜕𝜏 2 𝜕𝜏 𝜕𝜉 𝜕𝜉 𝜕𝜏 𝜕𝜉

The dimensionless variables are given by

𝐴 2𝑟0 𝑣 𝑧 𝐸 𝜌0 𝑟0 ℎ
𝐴̃ = , 𝑝̃ = 𝑝, 𝑣̃ = , 𝜉= , 𝜏 = 𝛺𝑡 with 𝛺 = √ , 𝐿= √
𝜋𝑟02 𝐸ℎ 𝐿𝛺 𝐿 𝜌0 𝑟02 𝜌 2

Here, 𝐴, 𝑟0 , 𝐸, ℎ, and 𝜌0 denote the cross-section, the equilibrium radius, the Young’s modulus, the
thickness, and the density of the artery, respectively.

1. Point out which terms lead to the nonlinearity in Equation (1) (5 pts)

2. Consider a weak nonlinearity, and assume that the solutions of the wave equations are small with respect
to the equilibrium values. Use the following expansion:

𝐴̃ = 1 + 𝜀𝐴1 + 𝜀 2 𝐴2 𝑣̃ = 𝜀𝑣1 + 𝜀 2 𝑣2 𝑝̃ = 𝜀𝑝1 + 𝜀 2 𝑝2 .

We also define new variables:

1 3
𝜒 = 𝜀 2 (𝜉 − 𝜏) 𝜂 = 𝜀 2 𝜏.

Derive the following nonlinear wave equation from Equation (1) by considering the second lowest order
term. (20 pts)

∂𝑝1 3 ∂𝑝1 1 ∂3 𝑝1
+ 𝑝 + = 0 (2)
𝜕 𝜂 2 1 𝜕𝜒 2 𝜕𝜒 3

3. We look for the solution in the moving frame 𝑧 = 𝜒 − 𝑐𝜂. Express Equation (2) in terms of single
variable 𝑧. (5 pts)

4. By integrating the result of problem 3, obtain (5 pts)

1 𝑑𝑝1 2 1 3 1 2
( ) + 𝑝1 − 𝑐𝑝1 + 𝑎1 𝑝1 = 𝑎2 (3)
4 𝑑𝑧 4 2
Wave Propagation in Solids (HS 2015) 151-0525-00L

Assignment 4: Nonlinear Waves and 1-D Discrete Lattices

Due on Monday, 07/12/2015 at 5:00pm in CLA J15.1

5. We look for the localized solution in the moving frame. Apply the appropriate boundary conditions that
lead to 𝑎1 = 𝑎2 = 0 in Equation (3). (5 pts)

𝑐
6. Show that 𝑝1 = 2𝑐 sech2 [√2 𝑧] is the solution of Equation (3) when 𝑎1 = 𝑎2 = 0. Also, draw or plot
the solution in the moving frame with three different velocity and explain the behavior of the solution. (5 pts)

𝑐
7. Consider the solution 𝑝1 = 2𝑐 sech2 [√2 𝑧] with different Young’s modulus 𝐸 and wall thickness ℎ.
Qualitatively explain what happens to the blood pressure when you have vascular diseases. Specify which
diseases change which physical parameters of blood vessel. (5 pts)