Seismoelectric wave propagation through a fluid-saturated porous sandwiched interlayer

Abstract

The seismoelectric waves generated in a fluid-saturated porous interlayer and the reflection/transmission characteristics at the interfaces of sandwiched structure are studied in this paper. Aiming to describe the strong attenuation and dispersion simultaneously at seismic and sonic frequencies, a new fractional viscoelastic model for the solid skeleton is introduced to the Pride's seismoelectric coupling theory. Using the interfacial continuity of stress, displacements, magnetic and electric fields, the reflection/transmission coefficients are determined. The numerical results are provided and shown graphically. The effects of seismoelectric coupling and the viscoelastic characteristics of solid skeleton on the reflection and transmission of seismoelectric waves are mainly studied. It is observed that the thickness, porosity and the viscoelastic characteristics of solid skeleton have evident effects not only on the electromagnetic waves but also on the seismic waves.