Apply the wave ansatz to the oscillatory displacement about a static body-force balance, or equivalently to the zero-body-force homogeneous equation. The parallel and perpendicular polarizations have speedsThe first is longitudinal and the second transverse. A wave family is dispersive when its phase speed $\omega /|\mathbf{k}|$ varies with wavenumber. In each of these homogeneous bulk families, $\omega =c|\mathbf{k}|$, so both are nondispersive and group and phase speeds coincide.

The positivity assumptions imply $\lambda >-2\mu /3$, hence $\lambda +\mu >\mu /3>0$. Therefore $c_p^2-c_s^2=(\lambda +\mu )/\rho >0$: longitudinal waves travel faster.

Assume $\mathbf{k}\ne 0$. Dotting the decomposition with $\mathbf{k}$ givesCrossing it on the left by $\mathbf{k}$ and using $\mathbf{B}\cdot \mathbf{k}=0$ gives $\mathbf{k}\times \mathbf{a}=|\mathbf{k}{|}^2\mathbf{B}$. ThusIndeed $(\mathbf{k}\times \mathbf{a})\times \mathbf{k}/|\mathbf{k}{|}^2=\mathbf{a}-A\mathbf{k}$, verifying the decomposition and the imposed transverse condition.

The traction on the oriented solid element isWith constant Lamé coefficients and derivatives in the reference variables,Substitution into balance of linear momentum givesTo check the vector identity componentwise, contract the two alternating tensors:Rearranging proves ${\nabla }^2\mathbf{u}=\nabla (\nabla \cdot \mathbf{u})-\nabla \times (\nabla \times \mathbf{u})$. Therefore

A Cartesian Cartesian second-rank tensor has components transforming under a constant orthogonal change of axes asHere ${\mathbf{X}}^{\prime }=P\mathbf{X}$ and ${\mathbf{u}}^{\prime }=P\mathbf{u}$. By the chain rule and orthogonality,Thus the displacement gradient is a Cartesian second-rank tensor. Its symmetric part transforms in the same way:Hence the infinitesimal strain tensor is also second-rank. This is a passive coordinate rotation, under which both reference and spatial coordinates rotate; it does not assert finite-deformation frame indifference of the linearized strain formula.

The displacement follows a material point from its reference position to its current position:The deformation gradient is the Jacobian matrix $F=\partial \mathbf{x}/\partial \mathbf{X}=I+{\nabla }_X\mathbf{u}$, and the volume Jacobian isFor an orientation-preserving physical deformation, $J>0$ measures the local volume expansion factor. Incompressibility requires $J=1$; conservation of mass gives $\rho (\mathbf{x},t)J={\rho }_0(\mathbf{X})$. For small displacement gradients, $J=1+{\nabla }_X\cdot \mathbf{u}+O(|{\nabla }_X\mathbf{u}{|}^2)$. If a spatial representation is desired, the same displacement is $\mathbf{u}(\mathbf{x},t)=\mathbf{x}-\mathbf{X}(\mathbf{x},t)$.

Insert the two constitutive stresses into the radial component of the Cauchy momentum equation. After collecting terms, $(\lambda +2\mu )(u_r^{\prime \prime }+u_r^{\prime }/r-u_r/r^2)=0$, so $u_r=Ar+B/r$. Its stresses areThe far pressure gives $A=-p_{\infty }/[2(\lambda +\mu )]$. At the tunnel wall, compressive bracing imposes ${\tau }_{rr}(a)=-P$, so $B=(P-p_{\infty })a^2/(2\mu )$. HenceWith no shear and ${\tau }_{\theta \theta }=k{\tau }_{rr}$, divide the yield identity by the nonzero ${\tau }_{rr}^2$ to obtain $4k=(1+k{)}^2{\cos }^2\varphi$. Solving its quadratic givesTo locate first yield, the stress-circle center is the constant $-p_{\infty }$, while its radius is $|P-p_{\infty }|a^2/r^2$. The radius is maximal at $r=a$, so that is where it first meets the friction envelope as the bracing departs from the hydrostatic value. At the wall ${\tau }_{rr}=-P$ and ${\tau }_{\theta \theta }=P-2p_{\infty }$; hence $k=(2p_{\infty }-P)/P$ andFor lowering bracing from $P=p_{\infty }$, the hoop stress becomes more compressive, so $k=k_{+}>1$ and $\boxed{P_{\mathrm{crit}}=p_{\infty }(1-\sin \varphi )}$. Increasing bracing instead selects $k_{-}$ and reaches the other threshold $p_{\infty }(1+\sin \varphi )$. Stating the loading direction removes any ambiguity between the two reciprocal stress ratios. These conclusions describe first yield of the elastic field, not the later plastic-zone solution.

The Mohr circle has center $C=({\tau }_{xx}+{\tau }_{yy})/2$ on the normal-stress axis and radius $R=\sqrt{({\tau }_{xx}-{\tau }_{yy}{)}^2/4+{\tau }_{xy}^2}$. In the compressive regime $C<0$, yield occurs when the circle first touches either friction line $F=\pm (-N)\tan \varphi$. The perpendicular distance of its center from either line is $|C|\sin \varphi$. Tangency therefore gives $R^2=C^2{\sin }^2\varphi$, or $C^2-R^2=C^2{\cos }^2\varphi$. But $C^2-R^2={\tau }_{xx}{\tau }_{yy}-{\tau }_{xy}^2$. ThusThe compressive sign restriction remains part of this equivalence: squaring alone would also produce algebraic branches that do not represent cohesionless compressive friction.

For dry friction, the tangential contact force opposes sliding and has limiting magnitude ${\mu }_f{N}_c$, where $N_c\ge 0$ is the compressive normal force and ${\mu }_f=\tan \varphi$. Sticking requires $|F|\le {\mu }_f{N}_c$; impending sliding reaches equality.

The cohesionless Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion applies the same local condition on internal planes: yield begins when some plane has $|{\tau }_{\mathrm{shear}}|=N_c\tan \varphi$. In the tension-positive Cauchy convention used here, $N_c=-N$ for a compressive plane, soA cohesive material would add a positive intercept, but the later formulas in this paper are explicitly the zero-cohesion case. The model does not supply a tensile strength law.

Plane strain sets all strains involving $z$ to zero, including $e_{zz}=0$, while $e_{xx}=u_x$, $e_{yy}=v_y$ and $e_{xy}=(u_y+v_x)/2$. ThusIn particular, ${\tau }_{zz}$ generally does not vanish: the suppressed out-of-plane strain requires a reaction stress. Setting that entry to zero would instead be a plane-stress assumption.

The perturbation preserves the prescribed displacement because $\mathbf{w}=0$ on the boundary. Strain varies as $e_{ij}(\mathbf{u}+\alpha \mathbf{w})=e_{ij}(\mathbf{u})+\alpha (w_{i,j}+w_{j,i})/2$. Taylor expansion of the strain energy density givesSymmetry of the stress makes its contraction with the two symmetric terms equal, henceA minimizer must have zero first variation for both signs of $\alpha$. Integrating by parts and using the zero boundary variation yields ${\int }_B(-{\partial }_j{\tau }_{ij}-\rho g_i)w_{i}dV=0$. The fundamental lemma of the calculus of variations, applied to arbitrary compactly supported variations, givesThis is the static momentum equation. Fixed-displacement data remove the surface variation; prescribed tractions would instead appear through boundary work in the potential energy.

The infinitesimal strain tensor is the symmetric part of the displacement gradient tensor:Its diagonal entries are infinitesimal normal extensions; twice an off-diagonal entry is the corresponding engineering shear strain. An infinitesimal rigid rotation has an antisymmetric displacement gradient tensor and therefore contributes no linearized strain.

With no applied load the free string segments are straight, while in contact $w=f=h-x^2$. By symmetry use contact $[-s,s]$ and a right-hand line through $(1,0)$ tangent at $s$. The tangency conditions are $w(s)=h-s^2$ and $w^{\prime }(s)=-2s$, giving $w=2s(1-x)$ on $[s,1]$ and $h-s^2=2s(1-s)$. ThereforeThe other algebraic root $1+\sqrt{1-h}$ is outside the admissible contact interval except at the coincident endpoint $h=1$.

Verification makes the construction complete: the values and slopes match at $\pm s$, the endpoints are zero, and outside contact $w-f=(|x|-s{)}^2\ge 0$. Inside contact $T{w}^{\prime \prime }=-2T\le 0$; outside it $w^{\prime \prime }=0$, so complementarity holds. The minimization argument proves this verified solution is the unique equilibrium. At $h=0$ the contact set is the single point $\{0\}$ and $w=0$; at $h=1$ contact fills the whole interval. This is the parabolic obstacle under a taut string.

The small-slope excess length is $\int (w^{\prime }{)}^2/2$, so the first term is the work needed against uniform tension. The second is the potential energy of the downward distributed load. Their sum is total potential energy subject to the obstacle constraint.

Expand the difference exactly:The first two integrals together are nonnegative by part (b), and the square is nonnegative. ThusFor $T>0$ this also proves uniqueness: equality for two minimizers forces identical derivatives, and the fixed endpoints remove their additive constant. The convex admissible set and strictly convex energy make the variational inequality a global minimization condition.

For any admissible $v$, put $q=v-w$. At endpoints $q=0$. On the contact set, $w=f$ and $v\ge f$ imply $q\ge 0$, while away from contact the reaction $r=p-T{w}^{\prime \prime }$ is zero. Hence $rq\ge 0$ everywhere. Integration by parts givesRearranging proves the requested variational inequality. Piecewise integration is legitimate because the slope is continuous at the contact boundary, so there are no omitted point-force terms.

Take $z$ positive upwards, so the source's sign convention makes $p$ a downward applied load. The small-slope tension contribution on a short interval is $T{w}^{\prime \prime }$. Let $r\ge 0$ be the upward contact reaction. Force balance gives $T{w}^{\prime \prime }-p+r=0$. Nonpenetration is $w\ge f$, and reaction is absent where $w>f$. ThereforeThe contact boundary must have continuous $w$ to avoid a broken string, and continuous slope in this smooth-contact model with no concentrated point force. Integrating force balance over a vanishing interval around a contact endpoint gives $T[w^{\prime }]=0$ when the load and reaction are locally bounded. This is the one-dimensional obstacle problem, with its reaction acting as a nonnegative constraint force.