Scattering of simple harmonic waves by a circular cavity in a fluid- infiltrated poro-elastic medium (Q1059506)

Biot's theory of poro-elasticity is used to study the scattering by a long cylindrical cavity in a porous solid with a type of boundary layer approximation. Quantitative results are presented for two cases: (i) vacuum cavity, and (ii) cavity filled with fluid. In each case, the P and SV incident waves are studied. Emphasis is put on the stress distribution near the cavity surface, and the results are compared and contrasted with those for the non-porous media. The effects of the fluid compressibility due to the possible entrainment of air are also discussed. The numerical results are presented in a large number of diagrams for visualization. The results may be of interest for the design of long tunnels to be protected against earthquakes.