A problem for an infinite elastic body with a spherical cavity in the theory of generalized thermoelastic diffusion

In this work, we study a one-dimensional problem in a generalized thermoelastic diffusion in infinite medium with a spherical cavity subjected to a time dependent thermal shock of its internal boundary which is assumed to be traction free. The chemical potential is also assumed to be a known function of time on the bounding cavity. Laplace transform techniques are used. The solution of the problem in the transformed domain is obtained by using a direct approach without the customary use of potential functions. By means of numerical Laplace inversion, the problem is solved in the physical domain. Numerical results predict finite speeds of propagation for thermoelastic and diffusive waves. To investigate the diffusions effects, a comparison is made with the results obtained in the thermoelastic problem.