Abstract
Traditional building materials have significant limitations in function and performance: insulation materials are easy to peel and age, waterproof materials have a short life, and fireproof materials have degraded flame retardancy. These shortcomings cannot meet the needs of modern buildings for energy efficiency, safety and durability. Therefore, it is imperative to study gradient building materials that integrate function and structure. In this study, based on the non-Fourier heat conduction law, a heat wave propagation model is established to derive a complete analytical solution for the heat wave scattering field of a subsurface circular defect in an exponentially gradient material. The effects of thermal diffusion length (µ/a), wave number (ka), non-uniformity coefficient (σ₁a), and defect embedding ratio (b/a) on the surface temperature distribution are systematically analysed by the wavefunction expansion method and the virtual mirror technique combined with the independently developed numerical procedure. The results show that: the peak temperature amplitude occurs in the region directly in front of the scatterer; the thermal fluctuation effect is significantly enhanced with the increase of the thermal diffusion length or the decrease of the defect size; the temperature fluctuation response is strengthened by the high modulation frequency (large ka) and the shallow burial depth of the defects; and the increase of the non-uniformity parameter of the material σ₁a results in the increase of the surface temperature. The study confirms the limitations of traditional Fourier's law in short-pulse heat conduction scenarios, and the results provide theoretical basis and data support for the design of functional gradient materials and nondestructive inspection by infrared thermography.