Ultrasonic wave propagation in two-phase media: Spherical inclusions

Abstract

The scattering theory, recently developed via the extended method of equivalent inclusion, is used to study the propagation of time-harmonic waves in two-phase media of elastic matrix with randomly distributed elastic spherical inclusion materials. The elastic moduli and mass density of the composite medium are determined as functions of frequencies when given properties and concentration of the spheres and the matrix. Velocities and attenuation of ultrasonic waves in two-component media are determined. An averaging theorem that requires the equivalence of the strain energy and the kinetic energy between the effective medium and the original matrix with inhomogeneities is employed to derive the effective moduli and mass density. The functional dependency of these quantities upon frequencies and concentration provides a method of data analysis in ultrasonic evaluation of material properties. Numerical results for effective moduli, velocity and/or attenuation as functions of concentration of spherical inclusion material, or porosity, are graphically displayed.