Closed-form solutions for shear wave propagation and attenuation in multiphase porous media

This paper presents simple yet rigorous analytical solutions for the propagation of the shear wave in multiphase porous media, with particular reference to saturated and unsaturated geomaterials. The solutions are derived based on the theory of multiphase mixtures, satisfying the inertial coupling effects amongst the phases. Correlations are obtained between the velocity and attenuation of the shear wave with the excitation frequency, volume fractions and densities of the constituents, and hydraulic conductivities of the fluid phases. The solutions established hold significant value for evaluating geomaterial parameters using shear wave velocity and attenuation measurements from in-situ and geophysical and geotechnical laboratory tests. The model simulations and their comparisons with the experimental data are presented demonstrating the application of the analytical solutions obtained.