An overview of elastic waveguides with dynamic sub-structures

The dynamic response of elastic waveguides is important for a wide range of applications that involve dispersive waves as well as wave localization. In particular, a case of special interest relates to waveguides subjected to moving loads. In the case where the elongated structure includes a sequence of built-in resonators, the range of resonance regimes may be extended accordingly. The present paper gives an overview of several mathematical formulations that connect Floquet theory to the dynamic response of multi-scale waveguides, which include inertial sub-structures subjected to external forces. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Wave generation and transmission in multi-scale complex media and structured metamaterials (part 2)’.