Phase and group velocity considerations for dynamic modulus measurement in anisotropic media

Abstract

In anisotropic media, the direction of energy propagation does not necessarily coincide with the wave normal, i.e. the energy flux vector does not coincide with the wave normal. Since, experimentally, one measures group velocity not phase velocity, one must therefore be careful in interpreting ultrasonic wave speed measurements in anisotropic media. This is of particular importance in elastic property reconstruction where acoustic velocity measurements are used as the basis for determining anisotropic material properties. In this work, the consequences of energy flux deviation from the wave normal are considered for typical experimental geometries. Particular attention is devoted to developing appropriate relationships between the phase velocity and ultrasonic transit time measurements, as these relations are most useful for elastic property reconstruction. In all the cases considered, it is shown that the phase velocity can be directly calculated from appropriate time delay measurements.