Abstract: Based on the elastic wave theory, the numerical simulation model of stress waves across slipping joint has been built, and transmission, reflection and absorption coefficients are calculated to analyze the propagation characteristics of stress waves. Results show that propagation characteristics of normal incident longitudinal wave are affected by joint’s tensile strength, and if the tensile stress produced on the joint by normal incident longitudinal wave exceeds the tensile strength, the interface will separate, transmitted wave disappears instantaneously, and then total reflection occurs, with the reflected wave and absorbed energy increasing. The propagation characteristics of normal incident shear wave are affected by the ratio of tangential joint stiffness and the product of shear strength and normalized tangential joint stiffness. With the increasing of the ratio, the reflection coefficient increases, transmission coefficient decreases, and absorption coefficient increases at first and then decreases, then ends with total reflection.

Key words: stress waves propagation, slip joint, reflection coefficient, transmission coefficient, absorption coefficient, energy, numerical simulation