Seismic waves in a three-dimensional block medium

TL;DR

This paper numerically investigates seismic wave propagation in a 3D block medium modeled with masses, springs, and dampers, analyzing wave attenuation and comparing results with analytical elastic solutions.

Contribution

It introduces a numerical model of seismic waves in a 3D block medium incorporating damping effects and compares findings with classical elastic solutions.

Findings

Damping influences wave attenuation significantly.

Numerical results align with analytical elastic solutions.

Wave behavior varies with load type and damper viscosity.

Abstract

We study numerically the propagation of seismic waves in a three-dimensional block medium. The medium is modeled by a spatial lattice of masses connected by elastic springs and viscous dampers. We study Lamb's problem under a surface point vertical load. The cases of both step and pulse load are considered. The displacements and velocities are calculated for surface masses. The influence of the viscosity of the dampers on the attenuation of perturbations is studied. We compare our numerical results for the block medium with known analytical solutions for the elastic medium.