Rayleigh–Taylor instability in accelerated solid media

A linear study of the Rayleigh–Taylor instability based on momentum conservation and the consideration of an irrotational velocity field for incompressible perturbations is discussed. The theory allows for a very appealing physical picture and for a relatively simple description of the main features of the instability. As a result, it is suitable for the study of the very complex problem of the instability of accelerated solids with non-linear elastic–plastic constitutive properties, which cannot be studied by the usual normal modes approach. The elastic to plastic transition occurring early in the instability process determines the entire evolution and makes the instability exhibit behavior that cannot be captured by an asymptotic analysis.