Influence of water saturation on propagation of elastic waves in transversely isotropic nearly saturated soil.

Biot's two-phase theory for fluid-saturated porous media was applied in a study carried out to investigate the influence of water saturation on propagation of elastic wave in transversely isotropic nearly saturated soil. The characteristic equations for wave propagation were derived and solved analytically. The results showed that there are four waves: the first and second quasi-longitudinal waves (QP1 and QP2), the quasi-transverse wave (QSV) and the anti-plane transverse wave (SH). Numerical results are given to illustrate the influence of saturation on the velocity, dispersion and attenuation of the four body waves. Some typical numerical results are discussed and plotted. The results can be meaningful for soil dynamics and earthquake engineering.