Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026

Studying Large Amplitude Oscillatory Shear Response of Soft Materials
Published on: April 25, 2019
Low-frequency resonance of an oblate spheroidal cavity in a soft elastic medium
David C Calvo1, Abel L Thangawng, Christopher N Layman
1Naval Research Laboratory, Code 7165, 4555 Overlook Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20375, USA. david.calvo@nrl.navy.mil
Abstract:
Axisymmetric monopole resonances of an oblate spheroidal cavity in a soft elastic medium are computed using both separation of variables and finite-element approaches. The resonances are obtained for compression wavelengths much longer than the cavity size and thus have a low-frequency character. Resonant frequencies for high-aspect-ratio oblate spheroids (either air-filled or evacuated) are found to be significantly lower than their spherical counterparts with equivalent volume. This finding contrasts with the case of an air bubble in water which features weak shape dependence. The results are relevant to the design of locally-resonant acoustic media using soft-lithography techniques with elastomers.
Related Concept Videos
Sound Waves: Resonance
Standing Waves in a Cavity
Concept of Resonance and its Characteristics
Forced Oscillations
Damped Oscillations
Although friction and other non-conservative...
Speed of Sound in Solids and Liquids

