Numerical study of wave propagation in porous media with the use of the grid-characteristic method

Abstract

Elastic wave propagation in a porous medium is numerically studied by applying the grid-characteristic method. On the basis of direct measurements of reflected and transmitted wave amplitudes, the reflection and decay coefficients are investigated as depending on the degree of porosity (percentage of the pore volume) and on the type of the filling substance (solid, liquid, or nothing). The reflection and decay coefficients are shown to be closely related to the porosity of the medium, which can be used in geological applications (estimation of porosity) and engineering applications (acoustic response attenuation).