Space-time finite elements for the analysis of transient wave propagation in unbounded layered media

A new method is proposed for the analysis of transient wave propagation in a layered stratum[ It makes use of the separation of variables technique and reduces the spatial dimension of analysis to one[ The resulting system of hyperbolic partial di}erential equations is solved via element!by!element computations based on a space!time Galerkin _nite element method[ This method is shown to be more e.cient than the methods based on convolution[ Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the e}ectiveness of the method[ Current limitations and possible extensions are also discussed