Slow dynamic nonlinearity in unconsolidated glass bead packs

TL;DR

This study investigates slow dynamic nonlinearity in unconsolidated glass bead packs using innovative experimental methods, revealing new conditioning techniques and providing insights into the behavior of such systems.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel experimental approach to study slow dynamics in bead packs, including a previously unreported conditioning method, to better understand nonlinear behavior.

Findings

Slow dynamics observed after three conditioning methods.

Ultrasonic coda wave interferometry detects changes.

New conditioning technique not previously reported.

Abstract

Slow dynamic nonlinearity describes a poorly understood, creep-like phenomena that occurs in brittle composite materials such as rocks and cement. It is characterized by a drop in stiffness induced by a mechanical conditioning, followed by a log(time) recovery. A consensus theoretical understanding of the behavior has not been developed. Here we introduce an alternative experimental venue with which to inform theory. Unconsolidated glass bead packs are studied rather than rocks or cement because the structure and internal contacts of bead packs are less complex and better understood. Slow dynamics has been observed in such systems previously. However, the measurements to date tend to be irregular. Particular care is used here in the experimental design to overcome the difficulties inherent in bead pack studies. This includes the design of the bead pack support, the use of low frequency conditioning, and the use of ultrasonic waves as a probe with coda wave interferometry to assess changes. Slow dynamics is observed in our system after three different methods for low-frequency conditioning, one of which has not been reported in the literature previously.