Abstract: The present study is carried out to investigate the transference of torsional surface waves in a heterogeneous anisotropic crust lying over a dry sandy half-space. The rigidities and densities as well as the initial stress are assumed varying as a function of depth in both the media. These variations are the product of the polynomial function of depth in degree n (n ∈ R) and the exponential function of depth. Following the theory of elastic waves, the mathematical model is established. Separation of variables is used to obtain the displacement in the layer and the half-space. Intrinsic boundary conditions are imposed to derive the dispersion equation. The inhomogeneity parameters associated with the rigidity, the density, and the initial stress of the medium are found to have substantial influence on the phase velocity of the torsional surface wave. The graphical presentations are drawn to exhibit the findings. The results thus obtained are significant for the investigation and characterization of torsional surface wave in the heterogeneous anisotropic layer.

Key words: hypergeometric function, Laguerre function, torsional wave, inhomogeneity, gravity, initial stress, sandy medium