Resonant frequency response and surface particle velocity profiles for buried land mines: Theory and experiment

Abstract

Acoustic-to-seismic coupling is currently used to detect buried landmines by measuring a contrast in the particle velocity of the air–soil interface directly above the mine (on-target) and away from the mine (off-target). Field measurements reveal a resonance phenomenon of the mine–soil system at frequencies around 100 Hz. The resonance frequency and the spatial profile of the on/off-target velocity ratio depend on the type of the mine, depth, and soil characteristics. Experimental results for antitank mines will be presented. These results will be compared with predictions by a recently developed model for the scattering of normally incident sound off of a landmine. The model assumes that the mine has a compliant top and the soil is an effective fluid. [Work supported by the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate and the U. S. Army Research Office.]