On Backus average in modelling guided waves

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the applicability of the Backus average for modeling guided waves in layered isotropic and anisotropic media, highlighting its limitations to thin layers or low frequencies and comparing it with exact methods.

Contribution

It systematically assesses the accuracy of the Backus average for different layer configurations and anisotropy levels in modeling guided wave dispersion curves.

Findings

Backus average is accurate for thin layers or low frequencies.

Large differences occur between Backus and propagator matrix results in strongly anisotropic media.

Backus average remains adequate for the fundamental mode at low frequencies or thin layers.

Abstract

We examine the Backus average of a stack of isotropic layers overlying an isotropic halfspace to examine its applicability for the quasi-Rayleigh and Love wave dispersion curves, both of which apply to the same model. We compare these curves to values obtained for the stack of discrete layers using the propagator matrix. The Backus average is applicable only for thin layers or low frequencies. This is true for both weakly inhomogeneous layers resulting in a weakly anisotropic medium and strongly inhomogeneous alternating layers resulting in a strongly anisotropic medium. We also compare the strongly anisotropic and weakly anisotropic media, given by the Backus averages, to results obtained by the isotropic Voigt averages of these media. As expected, we find only a small difference between these results for weak anisotropy and a large difference for strong anisotropy. We perform the Backus average for a stack of alternating transversely isotropic layers that is strongly inhomogeneous to evaluate the dispersion curves for the resulting medium. We compare these curves to values obtained using a propagator matrix for that stack of discrete layers. Again, there is a good match only for thin layers or low frequencies. Finally, we perform the Backus average for a stack of nonalternating transversely isotropic layers that is strongly inhomogeneous, and evaluate the quasi-Rayleigh wave dispersion curves for the resulting transversely isotropic medium. We compare these curves to values obtained using the propagator matrix for the stack of discrete layers. In this case, the Backus average performs less well, but---for the fundamental mode---remains adequate for low frequencies or thin layers.