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Title: A viscoelastic model for seismic attenuation using fractal mechanical networks

Abstract

SUMMARY Seismic attenuation (quantified by the quality factor Q) has a significant impact on the seismic waveforms, especially in the fluid-saturated rocks. This dissipative process can be phenomenologically represented by viscoelastic models. Previous seismological studies show that the Q value of Earth media exhibits a nearly frequency-independent behaviour (often referred to as constant-Q in literature) in the seismic frequency range. Such attenuation can be described by the mathematical Kjartansson constant-Q model, which lacks of a physical representation in the viscoelastic sense. Inspired by the fractal nature of the pore fluid distribution in patchy-saturated rocks, here we propose two fractal mechanical network (FMN) models, that is, a fractal tree model and a quasi-fractal ladder model, to phenomenologically represent the frequency-independent Q behaviour. As with the classic viscoelastic models, the FMN models are composed of mechanical elements (spring and dashpots) arranged in different hierarchical patterns. A particular parametrization of each model can produce the same complex modulus as in the Kjartansson model, which leads to the constant-Q. Applying the theory to several typical rock samples, we find that the seismic attenuation signature of these rocks can be accurately represented by either one of the FMN models. Besides, we demonstrate that the laddermore » model in particular exhibits the realistic multiscale fractal structure of the saturated rocks. Therefore, the FMN models as a proxy could provide a new way to estimate the microscopic rock structure property from macroscopic seismic attenuation observation.« less

Authors:
ORCiD logo [1]; ORCiD logo [2]
  1. Department of Geosciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
  2. Department of Geosciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA, EMS Energy Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Fossil Energy (FE)
OSTI Identifier:
1735385
Alternate Identifier(s):
OSTI ID: 1849252
Grant/Contract Number:  
FE0031544
Resource Type:
Published Article
Journal Name:
Geophysical Journal International
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Name: Geophysical Journal International Journal Volume: 224 Journal Issue: 3; Journal ID: ISSN 0956-540X
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English
Subject:
Geochemistry & Geophysics

Citation Formats

Xing, Guangchi, and Zhu, Tieyuan. A viscoelastic model for seismic attenuation using fractal mechanical networks. United Kingdom: N. p., 2020. Web. doi:10.1093/gji/ggaa549.
Xing, Guangchi, & Zhu, Tieyuan. A viscoelastic model for seismic attenuation using fractal mechanical networks. United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggaa549
Xing, Guangchi, and Zhu, Tieyuan. Tue . "A viscoelastic model for seismic attenuation using fractal mechanical networks". United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggaa549.
@article{osti_1735385,
title = {A viscoelastic model for seismic attenuation using fractal mechanical networks},
author = {Xing, Guangchi and Zhu, Tieyuan},
abstractNote = {SUMMARY Seismic attenuation (quantified by the quality factor Q) has a significant impact on the seismic waveforms, especially in the fluid-saturated rocks. This dissipative process can be phenomenologically represented by viscoelastic models. Previous seismological studies show that the Q value of Earth media exhibits a nearly frequency-independent behaviour (often referred to as constant-Q in literature) in the seismic frequency range. Such attenuation can be described by the mathematical Kjartansson constant-Q model, which lacks of a physical representation in the viscoelastic sense. Inspired by the fractal nature of the pore fluid distribution in patchy-saturated rocks, here we propose two fractal mechanical network (FMN) models, that is, a fractal tree model and a quasi-fractal ladder model, to phenomenologically represent the frequency-independent Q behaviour. As with the classic viscoelastic models, the FMN models are composed of mechanical elements (spring and dashpots) arranged in different hierarchical patterns. A particular parametrization of each model can produce the same complex modulus as in the Kjartansson model, which leads to the constant-Q. Applying the theory to several typical rock samples, we find that the seismic attenuation signature of these rocks can be accurately represented by either one of the FMN models. Besides, we demonstrate that the ladder model in particular exhibits the realistic multiscale fractal structure of the saturated rocks. Therefore, the FMN models as a proxy could provide a new way to estimate the microscopic rock structure property from macroscopic seismic attenuation observation.},
doi = {10.1093/gji/ggaa549},
journal = {Geophysical Journal International},
number = 3,
volume = 224,
place = {United Kingdom},
year = {Tue Nov 17 00:00:00 EST 2020},
month = {Tue Nov 17 00:00:00 EST 2020}
}

Journal Article:
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https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggaa549

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