Semi-analytical and numerical methods for computing transient waves in 2D acoustic/poroelastic stratified media

Wave propagation in a stratified fluid/porous medium is studied here using analytical and numerical methods. The semi-analytical method is based on an exact stiffness matrix method coupled with a matrix conditioning procedure, preventing the occurrence of poorly conditioned numerical systems. Special attention is paid to calculating the Fourier integrals. The numerical method is based on a high order finite-difference time-domain scheme. Mesh refinement is applied near the interfaces to discretize the slow compressional diffusive wave predicted by the Biot theory. Finally, an immersed interface method is used to discretize the boundary conditions. The numerical benchmarks are based on realistic soil parameters and on various degrees of hydraulic contact at the fluid/porous boundary. The time evolution of the acoustic pressure and the porous velocity is plotted in the case of one and four interfaces. The excellent level of agreement found to exist between the two approaches confirms the validity of both methods, which cross-checks them and provides useful tools for future researches. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.