Two-dimensional pre-stack reverse time imaging based on tunnel space

Abstract

Abstract In order to increase the safety and efficiency in tunnel constructions, there is a need to carry out an effective and precise tunnel prediction method to detect unexpected lithological and structural heterogeneities ahead of tunnel face. Seismic prediction is considered as one correct and efficient method. The assumption, which differs from the reality, taken in most of the current tunnel seismic imaging methods is that the tunnel space is a homogeneous medium with surrounded layers with the same elastic characters. In this paper, taking into account the actual situation of tunnel space, we propose some new tunnel geological models that are closer to the reality using the first-order coupled elastic equations of particle velocity and stress, and high order staggered grid finite-difference algorithm to fulfill numerical simulation of seismic full-wave fields in tunnel space. Then for these synthetic simulated records, we utilize reverse time migration operator based on non-conversion wave equation with decoupled P- and S-waves, and excitation time imaging condition to achieve reliable two dimensional (2D) reverse time migration imaging (RTM) based on tunnel space effectively. Results demonstrate that (1) it is able to achieve synthetic simulation and reverse time migration imaging correctly by using a staggered grid finite-difference (FD) algorithm with second-order accuracy in time and fourth-order accuracy in space, and reverse time operator based on non-conversion wave equation with decoupled P- and S-waves; (2) tunnel-based reverse time migration imaging can effectively suppress mirror artifact occurring in conventional imaging approaches; and (3) as the dip angle of lithological interface decreases, the energy of P wave imaging increases while the energy of S wave imaging decreases when shooting and receiving at the same side of interface, while when the dip angle of interface is 90°, common-source gather with shots near the tunnel face is beneficial to the imaging of P wave.