Effects of an interface in partial contact on acoustic-wave transmission characteristics

Journal Article · · Earth Sci.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5383877

Myer, L R; Hopkins, D; Cook, N G.W.

A discussion is presented of a new model in which attenuation and group velocity changes are explained by a single set of assumptions. The basis of this model is that a joint or fracture represents a displacement discontinuity across which average stresses in seismic waves are continuous but displacements are not. The model is linear elastic, so that all material properties are real valued. It is applicable to cases in which the fractures are large in extent but small in thickness compared to the wavelength of the seismic waves. Laboratory experiments were performed in which a single fracture was represented by an interface between two steel cylinders. Measured attenuation of compressional and polarized shear waves was compared with model predictions. 13 references, 5 figures.

• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 5383877
• Journal Information: Earth Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Earth Sci.; (United States) Vol. 8:2; ISSN EASCD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
580201* -- Geophysics-- Seismology & Tectonics-- (1980-1989)
BENCH-SCALE EXPERIMENTS
FAILURES
FRACTURES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
SEISMIC WAVES
SIMULATION
TESTING
VALIDATION