Seismic Response for Wave Propagation across Joints with Equally and Unequally Close-Open Behaviours

Abstract

The interaction between rock joints and seismic waves is critical in rock engineering when rock mass is suffered from human-induced or natural earthquakes. Stress wave propagation across rock joints is usually dependent on the seismic response of the joints. Wave propagation may cause joints close or open under the in situ stress. In this paper, the seismic response for wave propagation with an arbitrary incident angle impinging on joints is studied. Both reflection and transmission usually occurring at the two interfaces of the joint are considered, respectively. Wave propagation equations with equally and unequally close-open behaviours are deduced firstly, which can be applied for the general cases of arbitrary incident P- or S-wave. Then, wave propagation across joints with normal and oblique incident P- and S-waves is analyzed by considering the equally and unequally close-open behaviours and verified by comparing with the existing methods. Finally, several parametric studies are conducted to evaluate the effect of in situ stress on transmitted waves, the effect of the incident frequency on the maximum deformation of joints, and the effect of the incident angle on the maximum deformation of joints. The wave propagation equations derived in the study are more feasible and can well analyze the seismic response of wave propagation for the most general cases of different incident waveforms.