On the influence of voids on the depth of an external signal in thermoelasticity with two relaxation times

This work aims to highlight, by a series of simulations, the effect of the presence of pores in the material matrix on the transmission depth of a thermomechanical signal: two linear thermoelastic models are considered, for which the thermal response obeys a time-differential constitutive equation with two relaxation times, derived from the dual-phase lag theory. A porous material matrix, modeled on the basis of the Cowin–Nunziato theory, is compared with its counterpart without voids: this is done under hypotheses of linearity, compatible with the assumption to deal with very small spatial scales, in the order of the micrometer or nanometer. The results of such simulations are graphically presented and are completely unexpected; in the opinion of the authors, they can represent an interesting starting point for further discussions and insights.