Seismic Waves in a Laterally Inhomogeneous Layered Medium, Part II: Analysis

Abstract

Seismic wave scattering representation for the layered half-space with lateral inhomogeneities subjected to a seismic dislocation source has been formulated in the companion paper with the use of first-order perturbation (Born-type approximation) technique. The total wave field is obtained as a superposition of the mean and the scattered wave fields, which are generated, respectively, by a series of double couples of body forces equivalent to the seismic dislocation source and by fictitious body forces equivalent to the existence of the lateral inhomogeneities in the layered half-space. The responses in both the mean and the scattered wave fields are found with the aid of an integral transform technique and wave propagation analysis. The characteristics of the scattered waves and their effects on the mean waves or corresponding induced ground and/or underground mean responses are investigated in this paper. In particular, coupling phenomena between P-SV and SH waves and wave number shifting effects between the mean and the scattered wave responses are presented in detail. With the lateral inhomogeneities being assumed as a homogeneous random field, a qualitative analysis is provided for estimating the effects of the lateral inhomogeneities on the ground motion, which is related to a fundamental issue: whether a real earth medium can or cannot be approximately considered as a laterally homogeneous layer. The effects of the lateral inhomogeneities on the ground motion time history are also presented as a quantitative analysis. Finally, a numerical example is carried out for illustration purposes.