Relativistic Theory of Elastic Bodies in the Presence of Gravitational Waves

Abstract

The equations of motion governing small elastic oscillations of materials, induced by gravitational waves, are derived from the general framework of Carter and Quintana. In transverse-traceless gauge, no bulk forces are present, and the gravitational wave is found to act as an effective surface traction. For thin rods, an equivalent description is given, in which there is no surface traction, but a bulk acceleration, which is related to the Riemann curvature of the gravitational wave. The resulting equations are compared to those of the Synge-Bennoun elasticity theory.