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Numerical study on S-wave transmission across a rough, filled discontinuity

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Abstract

This paper presents a numerical simulation of S-wave propagation across a rough, filled discontinuity using the universal distinct element code (UDEC). The ability of UDEC to simulate a stress wave across a smooth and planar discontinuity filled with an elastic material is validated through comparisons with analytical solutions. Next, the effect of the plastic deformation of the fill on the wave propagation is investigated. The model is extended to further study S-wave propagation across a filled discontinuity with rough interfaces, which is described using a sawtooth. The transmission coefficient defined by the energy is used to measure the wave attenuation. Finally, a parametric study is conducted to investigate the influences of the filled thickness, asperity angle, and incident amplitude on the transmission waves and transmission coefficients. The asperity angle and filled thickness together determine the transmitted waveform and transmission coefficient. The transmitted wave may be cut off when the incident wave amplitude exceeds a threshold value. The transmission coefficient decreases with a different trend with the incident wave amplitude increasing when the asperity angle varies. Compared with planar discontinuity, a filled discontinuity with rough interfaces is more sensitive to the amplitude of the incident wave. The causes of these phenomena are analyzed in detail. In addition, the deformation of the fill material is strongly related to the wave attenuation.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the reviewers and the editor for their valuable comments and suggestions. This paper was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51609183), the Open Research Fund of State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Z015005), and the project supported by Hubei Key Laboratory of Roadway Bridge and Structure Engineering (Wuhan University of Technology) (DQJJ201501).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Roadway Bridge and Structure Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China

    Tingting Liu, Xinpin Li & Yi Luo

  2. State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China

    Tingting Liu, Jianchun Li, Haibo Li & Yun Zheng

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  1. Tingting Liu
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  2. Xinpin Li
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Correspondence to Tingting Liu.

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Liu, T., Li, X., Li, J. et al. Numerical study on S-wave transmission across a rough, filled discontinuity. Arab J Geosci 10, 249 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-017-3030-0

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