The acoustoelastic effect on Rayleigh waves in elastic--plastic deformed layered rocks

On the basis of the acoustoelastic theory for elastic--plastic materials, the influence of statically deformed states including both the elastic and plastic deformations induced by applied uniaxial stresses on the Rayleigh wave in layered rocks is investigated by using a transfer matrix method. The acoustoelastic effects of elastic--plastic strains in rocks caused by static deformations, are discussed in detail. The Rayleigh-type and Sezawa modes exhibit similar trends in acoustoelastic effect: the acoustoelastic effect increasing rapidly with the frequency-thickness product and the phase velocity change approaching a constant value for thick layer and high frequency limit. Elastic--plastic deformations in the Castlegate layered rock obviously modify the phase velocity of the Rayleigh wave and the cutoff points for the Sezawa modes. The investigation may be useful for seismic exploration, geotechnical engineering and ultrasonic detection.