Analytical and numerical study of P-wave attenuation in rock shelter layer

The protection of underground structures against dynamic loadings has long been a topic of great interest in defense engineering. This paper focuses on the far-field blast-wave propagation and attenuation in rock shelter layer with an inclusion or filled medium. First, the effect of single inclusion on wave attenuation is explored analytically assuming that the interfaces between rock and the inclusion are completely consolidated. The formulae for the strength of total transmitted stress- and velocity-wave after the inclusion are subsequently presented. At last, numerical studies on the attenuation of one-dimensional P-wave in rock embedded with artificial cavity, steel plate and natural joint are carried out. The attenuation rules for various scenarios are discussed in detail in this paper which can provide useful guidelines to the design of intelligent defense structures. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.