ALBERT

Notes: Biot's poroelastic differential equations are modified for including matrix–fluid interaction mechanisms. The description is phenomenological and assumes a solid–fluid relaxation function coupling coefficient. The model satisfies basic physical properties such as, for instance, that P-wave velocities at low frequencies are lower than those predicted by Biot's theory. In many cases, the results obtained with the Biot (two-phase) modelling are equal to those obtained with single-phase elastic modelling, mainly at seismic frequencies. However, a correct equivalence is obtained with a viscoelastic rheology, which requires one relaxation peak for each Biot (P and S) mechanism. The standard viscoelastic model, which generalizes compressibility and shear modulus to relaxation functions, is not appropriate for modelling the Biot complex moduli, since Biot's attenuation is of a kinetic nature (i.e. it is not related to bulk deformations). The problem is solved by associating relaxation functions with each wave modulus. The equivalence between the two modelling approaches is investigated for a homogeneous water-filled sandstone and a periodically layered poroelastic medium, alternately filled with gas and water. The simulations indicate that, in the homogeneous case, particle velocities in the solid skeleton, caused by a source applied to the matrix, are equivalent to viscoelastic particle velocities. In a finely layered medium, viscoelastic modelling is not, in principle, equivalent to porous modelling, due to substantial mode conversion from fast wave to slow static mode. However, this effect, caused by local fluid-flow motion, can be simulated by including an additional relaxation mechanism similar to the squirt-flow.

Notes: An algorithm for modelling and migrating ground penetrating radar (GPR) data in moderately heterogeneous dispersive media is presented. The method is based on wavefield extrapolation in the frequency–wavenumber (f–k) domain, from the solution of the 2D Maxwell's equations. The wavefield is extrapolated by a phase-shift technique using a constant relative permittivity K and a quality factor Q. It is then modified by a correction term to handle the lateral K and Q variations. The spatial distribution of the K and Q-factor values, representing the given model parameters, is introduced into the algorithm by a regular grid parametrization. The radar wave dispersion and attenuation, induced by relaxation processes, are taken into account by a linear frequency-dependent Q model, and expressed by a complex wavenumber in the propagation equation.A synthetic case and a field data set illustrate the potential of the method for frequencies of 300, 500 and 900 MHz. In the first case, a typical civil engineering problem is considered. The frequency dependence of the wave velocity and attenuation is well illustrated. The synthetic data are afterwards migrated using the initial model parameters. The results show the importance of using spatially varying model parameters in the migration processes. The second case concerns an application of the method to a real data set. In order to adjust the model parameters, a forward modelling sequence is performed until the best match between the measured and the synthetic data is achieved. A depth migration is then applied to the data, and the result is compared with the initial model parameters.In conclusion, we assess the contributions of the method to industrial applications, by discussing the performance of the algorithm compared with its limitations.

Notes: Vibroseis data recorded at short source–receiver offsets can be swamped by direct waves from the source. The signal-to-noise ratio, where primary reflections are the signal and correlation side lobes are the noise, decreases with time and late reflection events are overwhelmed. This leads to low seismic resolution on the vibroseis correlogram. A new precorrelation filtering approach is proposed to suppress correlation noise. It is the ‘squeeze-filter-unsqueeze’ (SFU) process, a combination of ‘squeeze’ and ‘unsqueeze’ (S and U) transformations, together with the application of either an optimum least-squares filter or a linear recursive notch filter. SFU processing provides excellent direct wave removal if the onset time of the direct wave is known precisely, but when the correlation recognition method used to search for the first arrival fails, the SFU filtering will also fail. If the tapers of the source sweeps are badly distorted, a harmonic distortion will be introduced into the SFU-filtered trace. SFU appears to be more suitable for low-noise vibroseis data, and more effective when we know the sweep tapers exactly. SFU requires uncorrelated data, and is thus cpu intensive, but since it is automatic, it is not labour intensive.  With non-linear sweeps, there are two approaches to the S,U transformations in SFU. The first requires the non-linear analytical sweep formula, and the second is to search and pick the zero nodes on the recorded pilot trace and then carry out the S,U transformations directly without requiring the algorithm or formula by which the sweep was generated. The latter method is also valid for vibroseis data with a linear sweep. SFU may be applied to the removal of any undesired signal, as long as the exact onset time of the unwanted signal in the precorrelation domain is known or determinable.

Notes: Accurate well ties are essential to practical seismic lithological interpretation. As long as the geology in the vicinity of the reservoir is not unduly complex, the main factors controlling this accuracy are the processing of the seismic data and the construction of the seismic model from well logs. This case study illustrates how seismic data processing to a near-offset stack, quality control of logs and petrophysical modelling improved a well tie at an oil reservoir. We demonstrate the application of a predictive petrophysical model in the preparation and integration of the logs before building the seismic model and we quantify our improvements in well-tie accuracy. The data for the study consisted of seismic field data from a 3D sail line through a well in a North Sea oilfield and a suite of standard logs at the well. A swathe of fully processed 3D data through the well was available for comparison. The well tie in the shallow section from first-pass seismic data processing and a routinely edited sonic log was excellent. The tie in a deeper interval containing the reservoir was less satisfactory: the phase errors within the bandwidth of the seismic wavelet were of the order of 20°, which we consider too large for subsequent transformation of the data to seismic impedance. Reprocessing the seismic data and revision of the well-log model reduced these phase errors to less than 10° and improved the consistency of the deep and shallow well ties. The reprocessing included densely picked iterative velocity analysis, prestack migration, beam-forming multiple attenuation, stacking the near-offset traces and demigration and remigration of the near-offset data. The petrophysical model was used to monitor and, where necessary, replace the P-wave sonic log with predictions consistent with other logs and to correct the sonic log for mud-filtrate invasion in the hydrocarbon-bearing sand. This editing and correction of the P-wave transit times improved the normal-incidence well tie significantly. The recordings from a monopole source severely underestimated the S-wave transit times in soft shale formations, including the reservoir seal, where the S-wave velocity was lower than the P-wave velocity in the drilling mud. The petrophysical model predicted an S-wave log that matched the valid recordings and interpolated between them. The subsequent seismic modelling from the predicted S-wave log produced a class II AVO anomaly seen on the CDP gathers around the well.

Notes: We design a velocity–porosity model for sand-shale environments with the emphasis on its application to petrophysical interpretation of compressional and shear velocities. In order to achieve this objective, we extend the velocity–porosity model proposed by Krief et al., to account for the effect of clay content in sandstones, using the published laboratory experiments on rocks and well log data in a wide range of porosities and clay contents.The model of Krief et al. works well for clean compacted rocks. It assumes that compressional and shear velocities in a porous fluid-saturated rock obey Gassmann formulae with the Biot compliance coefficient. In order to use this model for clay-rich rocks, we assume that the bulk and shear moduli of the grain material, and the dependence of the compliance on porosity, are functions of the clay content.Statistical analysis of published laboratory data shows that the moduli of the matrix grain material are best defined by low Hashin–Shtrikman bounds. The parameters of the model include the bulk and shear moduli of the sand and clay mineral components as well as coefficients which define the dependence of the bulk and shear compliance on porosity and clay content. The constants of the model are determined by a multivariate non-linear regression fit for P- and S-velocities as functions of porosity and clay content using the data acquired in the area of interest.In order to demonstrate the potential application of the proposed model to petrophysical interpretation, we design an inversion procedure, which allows us to estimate porosity, saturation and/or clay content from compressional and shear velocities.Testing of the model on laboratory data and a set of well logs from Carnarvon Basin, Australia, shows good agreement between predictions and measurements. This simple velocity-porosity-clay semi-empirical model could be used for more reliable petrophysical interpretation of compressional and shear velocities obtained from well logs or surface seismic data.

Notes: Following a previous paper in which the principles of a 3D ground-surface tomographic processing of self-potential data were established, we extend the method to active source geoelectric surveying. The main purpose of the new tomographic approach is to obtain a physical image reconstruction of the induced electric charges distributed over buried resistivity discontinuities. The information is produced in a probabilistic sense, as the mathematical formulation underlying the method treats only the intrinsic physical nature of the generated electric field underground and the method of its ground-surface detection, independently of the geometry of the unknown structures. In practice, a 3D tomography is realized by cross-correlating a set of distributed electric-field ground-surface data with a scanning function, representing a unit positive point charge located anywhere in the lower half-space. The resolution of the method is tested on the synthetic response of a 3D structural simulation of an archaeological target, consisting of an infinitely resistive prismatic body immersed in a half-space, including surface inhomogeneities and layering. Finally, the field response of a 3D structure consisting of a hypogeal dromos-chamber tomb inside the Sabine Necropolis at Colle del Forno, close to Rome, is presented and discussed.

Notes: A guided wave along a borehole is often observed in borehole radar measurements. These guided waves deform the antenna pattern and can cause artefacts in radar measurements. A water-filled borehole or a conducting logging cable can function as a waveguide for electromagnetic waves under some conditions. We describe the theoretical characteristics of such a guided wave in a borehole and compare them with our experiments. The measured signal discussed was obtained with a directional borehole radar. This radar uses a cylindrical conformal array antenna as receiver and is a model of a conducting structure in a borehole. The induced field around the borehole was compared with the theory. The most fundamental symmetrical and asymmetrical modes were TM01 and HE11, and they were identified in the measured signals using time–frequency distribution analysis and by observation of the azimuthal field distribution of the magnetic field.

Notes: The electrical method presented is used for determining the resistivity of lake-bottom sediments and is based on the d.c. electrical sounding principles. The electrode array, called the fishing rod (FR), is of pole-pole type and is orientated vertically on a line perpendicular to the surface of the water. The technique is used for mapping resistivity anomalies located deep underwater. This paper presents an analysis of the resolution capabilities of the FR method and the results of a case study carried out in Lake Geneva, where measurements were interpreted using a one-dimensional (1D) multilayer earth model. The analysis of the uncertainty in the model parameters of a 1D multilayer earth model is carried out using the covariance matrix of the linearized inversion problem. The results of the analyses show that when the thickness and resistivity of the water layer is known, the resistivity of the sediment layer is well determined under most circumstances. The thickness of the sediment layer is well determined when resistivity contrasts are not too low. In Lake Geneva the FR method has been used to study an old depression with a resistive channel. This application shows the efficiency of the method compared with conventional electrical methods, where water depth becomes a limiting factor. The use of an automated iterative inversion scheme in this particular case is advantageous, as a joint interpretation of the three different data sets measured with the FR method can be carried out. Finally, the result of the inversion is compared with the trial-and-error interpretations of a previous study.

Notes: Minimum variance unbiased (MVU) beamforming is a type of multichannel filtering which extracts coherent signals without distortion, whilst minimizing residual noise power. Adaptive beamforming estimates signal and noise characteristics as part of the extraction process. The adaptive beamformer used here is designed from models of primary and multiple reflection signals having parametrically specified moveout and amplitude variation with offset (MVO and AVO). Phase variation with offset (PVO) can also be included but it is not usually justified in practice. The resulting analysis provides data for input into AVO and PVO schemes for obtaining lithological information. Synthetic data examples illustrate details of implementation of parametric adaptive MVU beamforming and the response characteristics of the resultant design. Real data examples show that data-adaptive beamforming is more flexible and more effective in attenuating multiples in prestack common-midpoint seismic data than Radon transform methods. In common with other prestack multichannel processes, the advantages of beamforming are shown to best effect in data with a good signal-to-noise ratio.

Notes: Known mineral occurrences in northern Vancouver Island are typically hosted in volcanic units of the Bonanza Group. At a local scale, the mineralization is associated with advanced argillic bedrock alteration and is often intimately related to porphyry intrusions. On a larger scale, faults are thought to exert the most significant control on the distribution of mineralized host rocks. Poor exposures and a complex glacial history limit the use of traditional methods of geological mapping and mineral exploration in this region and to date geophysical methods have been under-utilized. Here we present findings from four standard geophysical (gravity, magnetics, electromagnetics and seismic refraction) methods, recently deployed here to elucidate the subsurface geology, as well as to identify new targets for base metal exploration.Results at two different sites show that the integrated interpretation of geophysical data, constrained by physical rock property measurements, yields detailed images of the subsurface at a fraction of the cost of drilling. At one site, east of Rupert Inlet, the final subsurface model shows that the Bonanza Group is not nearly as extensive as previously presumed. An extension of the Holberg Fault is identified some 50 km east of the visibly mapped outcrop and an extensive zone of alteration around the fault is recognized. Furthermore, a number of the methods provide support for the existence of a porphyry dike at this site. At the second site, north of Rupert Inlet, magnetic and electromagnetic data prove effective at mapping alteration and locating shear zones beneath a relatively thin drift cover. Together, these results help outline a strategy for exploration in drift-covered terrains and show that a redirection of exploration effort is warranted in the case of northern Vancouver Island.

Notes: We present the measured dielectric constant and conductivity of soil samples contaminated by diesel oil. Measurements of the electrical properties of contaminated soil were carried out using a guarded-electrode sample holder and a parallel-plate sample holder in the frequency range 2–250 MHz. Two different soil samples were measured. Both the dielectric constant and the conductivity of the contaminated soils and uncontaminated soils are compared. The measurement results show that the change in the dielectric constant of soils before and after diesel oil contamination is small but significant. These results provide a basis for using ground-penetrating radar or other high-frequency electromagnetic sensors in the detection of soil contamination.

Notes: A method based on the discrete wavelet transform was applied to the regional-residual separation of potential fields and to the filtering of local anomalies. A specific space-scale wavelet analysis, called multiresolution analysis, allowed decomposition of the signal with respect to a vast range of scales. Different analysing wavelets were applied to anomalies in both synthetic and real cases, but the more appropriate basis needed to be chosen by requiring the maximum compactness for the multiresolution analysis. Moreover, since such analysis was found not to be shift-invariant, the same criterion was applied to choosing the best signal shift. Application of the technique to both synthetic and real cases produced an optimal space-scale representation of the fields and a consistent regional-residual separation. Furthermore, the space localization allowed a variety of filtered signals to be obtained, each one with a specific scale and local area content. Fourier and wavelet analyses were both applied to the filtering out of the intense Etna anomaly from the aeromagnetic field of Sicily. The wavelet method was more powerful, suppressing only the Etna volcano anomaly and leaving the rest of the map practically unchanged.

Notes: The continuous wavelet transform (CWT) is used to evaluate local variations in the power-law exponents of sonic log data. The resulting wavelet spectrum can be compared with the corresponding global estimates obtained by conventional Fourier transform methods. In Fourier analysis, the fundamental tool used to characterize a fluctuating velocity distribution is the power spectrum. It represents the energy contained in each wavenumber and thus provides information regarding the importance of each scale of heterogeneity. However, important spatial information regarding the location of events becomes implicit in the phase angle of the Fourier transform. In this paper, it is shown how the square of the amplitude of the wavelet transform is related to the Fourier spectrum and how spatial information can be expressed in an explicit manner. Using the conservation of energy, it is shown that the average wavelet power spectrum over the total depth range is equal to the global power spectrum. A Gaussian wavelet is chosen to realize the wavelet transform. Two synthetic sonic logs with exponential and von Karman correlation functions are used to demonstrate the potential of the suggested analysis. Furthermore, the wavelet transform is applied to the KTB (Continental Deep Drilling Program) sonic log data. The wide range of applications of the CWT shows that this transform is a natural tool for characterizing the structural properties of underground heterogeneities. It offers the possibility of separating the multiscale components of heterogeneities.

Notes: X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns from nominally β-SiC specimens often differ from those expected for the cubic crystal structure. These differences include the presence of additional peaks, enhanced background intensities, peak broadening, changes in relative peak heights, and shifts in peak positions. It has long been recognized that they are due to the presence of stacking faults, and models relating the experimental observations to stacking fault population have continued to evolve. The presence and relative magnitude of these features vary among different β-SiC specimens. In this work, computer simulations were used to show that the variations are closely related to differences in the type and spatial distribution of stacking faults in each specimen. In these simulations, stacking sequences were generated using a selectively activated 1-D Ising model with a Boltzmann-type probability function for specifying errors, which allows a wide variety of fault configurations to be generated. Direct correlations between different features in the XRD data to the underlying fault population are demonstrated, which are discussed in this paper. It is also shown that this computer model is general, in the sense that many of the models presented in prior work can be interpreted as limiting cases of it.

Notes: We have studied the atomistic structure of a σ3 (111) grain boundary in strontium titanate by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Quantitative evaluation of HRTEM images reveals that shear stresses, which may originate from processing or external loading, have an important effect on the translation state of the two adjacent grains and on the ion positions at the grain boundary. While under low shear stress the boundary exhibits mirror symmetry with respect to the boundary plane and a comparatively large free volume, high shear stress transforms the structure to a “lock-in” configuration, which has no mirror symmetry and a smaller excess volume. These results suggest that internal or external stresses may significantly alter the charge transport properties of SrTiO3.

Notes: The hardness of opposite basal faces of 4H-SiC single crystals has been measured in the temperature range 25°-1200°3C. A strong hardness anisotropy between the silicon-terminated (0001) and carbon-terminated (0001) faces of this polar crystal has been found. Transmission electron microscopy investigation of the dislocations in the plastic zone of the 1200°3C indentations shows that they lie predominantly on the basal planes parallel to the indented face, and the extra-half planes of the nonscrew dislocations originate from the indented face. It is also found that, when the (0001) Si-terminated face is indented, the dislocations are either widely dissociated, with the width of the stacking fault ribbon much larger than the equilibrium value, or else they are single leading partials, with the corresponding trailing partials absent. In this case, all the leading partials are found to have a silicon core. On the other hand, the dislocations in the plastic zone of the carbon-terminated face are in the form of dissociated dislocations, with the width of the associated stacking fault ribbons appreciably less than the equilibrium value. Moreover, the leading partials of éhese dissociated dislocations have a carbon core. The results indicate that the hardness of the polar basal faces of 4H-SiC at elevated temperatures is partly determined by the nature of the dislocation cores nucleated by the indentation process. It is argued that this is due to the influence of the core on the generation and glide of the leading partial dislocations.

Notes: Using the technique of fluorescence piezospectroscopy, we determine the distribution of thermal residual stresses across the edges of three laminated alumina/zirconia composites. We develop a methodology for separating the measured stress state into microstresses that result from grain-to-grain thermal mismatch and macrostresses that result from lamination-induced thermal mismatch between individual plies. Comparison between the measured edge-stress distributions and those calculated based on a simple force-superposition model shows good agreement, indicating that the laminate system is well approximated as linear elastic. Given the experimental confirmation of significant edge stresses in multi-ply laminates, the possibility of failure initiating at composite edges must be considered in the design of surface-compressed laminate structures with the aim of mediating the detrimental effect of surface flaws.

Notes: Local laser-induced oxidation of thin titanium films on glass is shown to be self-limiting due to a decrease in the absorptivity during the reaction. Taking advantage of this confinement, stable writing of transparent oxide line structures narrower than the diffraction-limited focused spot of a continuous wave Ar ion laser (500 nm) has been accomplished. The greatest optical contrast (1:10) with the highest resolution down to 165 nm was observed if the film thickness is of the order of the light absorption length in the metal.

Notes: Multilayered composites consisting of LaPO4 (La-monazite) layers alternating with various ZrO2-based materials were fabricated to investigate whether LaPO4 provides a weakly bonded interface suitable for promoting toughening, as previously observed in the system LaPO4/Al2O3. The following ZrO2-based materials were assessed: Y-ZrO2, Y-ZrO2/Al2O3, Ce-ZrO2, and Ce-ZrO2/Al2O3. Debonding was observed in all cases. The composites containing Y-ZrO2 and Y-ZrO2/Al2O3 were stable, with no reactions, at temperatures up to at least 1600°3C. However, in the composites containing Ce-ZrO2, interdiffusion of Ce and La occurred, resulting in formation of a pyrochlore-like phase and, in the case of the Ce-ZrO2/Al2O3 composite, a (Ce,La)Al11O18 magnetoplumbite phase.

Notes: Copper/niobium multilayers prepared by sputtering onto Si substrates with layer thicknesses ranging from 11 to 5000 Å have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy and nanoindentation. The films are strongly textured with {110} close-packed planes of the bcc Nb parallel to the {111} close-packed planes of the fcc Cu and close-packed directions tending to be parallel as well. For the 11 Å layers, the Cu is found to grow pseudomorphically on Nb in the bcc structure. It is thought that, for thicker layers, the bcc Cu loses coherency and transforms martensitically to the fcc phase, thus resulting in the observed Kurdjumov—Sachs orientation relationship. As the layer thickness, d, decreases from 5000 to 500 Å, the hardness increases as d-1/2; i.e., it follows a Hall—Petch relationship so that hardening is due to grain boundaries and interfaces. The slope is the same as in pure Cu, but there is a large intercept which is ascribed to internal stresses and a large dislocation density. As the layer thickness decreases from 100 to 11 Å, the hardness increases as (1/d) ln (0.69d), which is a line tension formulation such as would be expected for Orowan dislocation bowing between the layers. Again there is a large intercept which is ascribed to cutting through the Cu/Nb interfaces. The interfacial energy is calculated to be 0.46 J/m2.

Notes: Aqueous Zr-nitrate solutions containing appropriate amounts of Fe(NO3)3·6H2O and Al(NO3)3·6H2O were used to synthesize ZrO2-Fe2O3 compositions (up to 40 mol% Fe2O3) and one ZrO2-Al2O3-Fe2O3 composition. An amorphous phase was produced after pyrolysis, which subsequently crystallized to a single-phase Zr(Fe)O2 solid solution (or Zr(Fe,Al)O2 ss) that appeared cubic by X-ray diffraction, but tetragonal (c/a→ 1) by electron diffraction. The crystallization temperature increased with Fe2O3 content. At higher temperatures, the single phase partitioned to two phases, tetragonal-ZrO2+γ-Fe2O3. The γ- to α-Fe2O3 transformation occurred at still higher temperatures to produce a two-phase microstructure composed of two interpenetrating phases (ZrO2+α-Fe2O3), each with equiaxed grains. This microstructure was relatively stable to grain coarsening, even to temperatures just below the apparent eutectic temperature. With the exception of the lower transition temperatures and the equiaxed grains observed for both phases, these observations are similar to that previously reported for the ZrO2-Al2O3 system. The microstructure development reported here is another example for the synthesis via solution processing that involves diffusion-limited crystallization. Namely, a two-phase material can be produced where the grain size of each can be very small, and can be prevented from growing rapidly at high temperatures due to the constraint of each phase on one another.

Notes: High-temperature creep behavior of yttria fully stabilized zirconia single crystals with various yttria contents in the interval 9.4 ≤x≤ 21 mol% has been studied. The mechanical data have been collected as a function of both the temperature and the yttria concentration. The creep behavior has been explained in terms of a transition between a dislocation viscous glide and a dislocation climb controlled mechanism, making use of a generalized version of a classical model for alloys proposed by Burton. The yttria concentration dependence of the creep rate has been connected with results on cationic diffusivity, with a possible influence of impurities.

Notes: The examination of natural materials at the microscopic and microchemical level from a materials science perspective can occasionally suggest advances in modern materials engineering. The present paper reports on such a case: an analytical study of the detailed structure and composition of sea urchin teeth.

Notes: Compression tests of single crystals are analyzed with respect to shear due to the friction at the loaded ends. This simple approach permits an explanation of the features associated with prism plane slip in sapphire (α-Al2O3), i.e., the shape changes of the specimens and the curvature of the glide planes.

Notes: The microstructure of polydomain tetragonal zirconia (t-ZrO2), i.e., a ZrO2 modification exhibiting ferroelastic behavior, is studied by high-voltage electron microscopy. This material consists of three domain variants of the tetragonal phase with their c-axes nearly orthogonal to each other. Always two variants of these platelike domains are alternately arranged, forming elongated regular colonies. Hence, in both variants the common habit plane of the domains is a {110} twin plane. The colonies are of columnar shape with a longitudinal axis. They are bound by {110} planes, too, which are twin planes for the domains in the contiguous colonies. Owing to their particular structure and the helical arrangement of the adjoining colonies, the material remains coherent and pseudocubic over large macroscopic regions, although it is formed by different tetragonal domains.

Notes: The ferroelastic deformation of t-ZrO2, the microstructure of which was described in detail in Part I, was investigated by in situ deformation experiments in the high-voltage electron microscope at 1150°3C. During the experiments those two domain variants with their c-axes perpendicular to the [010] tensile direction were transformed into the third one with its c-axis parallel to the tensile direction. The subsequent ‘switching’ of the domains inside the colonies proceeds much faster than the penetration of the transformation front into a neighboring colony. Therefore, the transformed region, exhibiting a unique tetragonal structure and containing residual defects, preferentially expands into the longitudinal directions of the colonies. The transformation of single domains proceeds instantaneously within the time resolution of the video tape recording.

Notes: The effect of particle solubility and the dissolution rate on agglomeration was studied by drying silica and titania particles from aqueous slurries with pH values in the range of 2–12. The agglomerate strength and strength distribution were measured by a calibrated ultrasonic force, and the strength increased as the solubility and dissolution rate increased. Two silica powders of different particle size (60 nm and 500 nm) were studied, and smaller-sized particles formed stronger agglomerates. The drying rate of the powders was varied by using spray drying and tray drying, and slower drying was shown to lead to higher agglomerate strength. The agglomerate strength of titania powder (insoluble in water) was independent of pH, whereas the agglomerate strength of silica was dependent on pH. It was concluded that the solubility and dissolution rate are important parameters that govern the strength of agglomerates.

Notes: The formation kinetics of products formed by the reaction between dense molybdenum and vapor-supplied silicon at an activity approximating that of solid silicon under open flowing gas conditions was studied at 1200°3C. An outer MoSi2 layer overlaid the much thinner Mo5Si3 that formed on the molybdenum. Both phases obeyed parabolic growth laws over a 22 h period, having parabolic rate constants of 6.8 times 10-10 cm2/s for the MoSi2 and 1.3 times 10-13 cm2/s for the Mo5Si3 phases. These results were ∼2 orders of magnitude less than prior results, mostly obtained by another processing route. Possible explanations include enhanced growth rates from chemical contamination. Gross distortion and abnormal layer thicknesses at specimen edges and the 159% volume increase during siliciding suggest that the kinetics also are strain dependent.

Notes: An anomalous positive temperature coefficient of resistivity (PTCR) was investigated in the ZnO-NiO system. It was found that the ZnOSS (Zn0.97Ni0.03O) and NiOSS (Ni0.6Zn0.4O) constituent phases of that system exhibit negative temperature coefficient of resistivity (NTCR) character, while their combination shows a PTCR effect with a maximum at 400°3C, which coincides with a large difference in the coefficient of linear thermal expansion between the ZnOSS and NiOSS phases at that temperature. On the basis of the brick wall model microstructure, the PTCR anomaly of this system can be explained. The magnitude of the PTCR effect is governed by the difference in resistivity of the two constituent phases at the temperature where the maximum of the PTCR anomaly occurs. The predicted temperature dependence of the resistance, R(T), of a model microstructure consisting of constituent phases with different grain sizes agrees well with the experimental R(T) of the prepared composite ceramics.

Notes: Small substitutions of BaZrO3 into Ba[(Zn,Ni)1/3Ta2/3]O3 are utilized in the commercial preparation of low-loss perovskite microwave dielectrics. The structures of a series of these phases with substitution levels ranging from 1% to 5% BaZrO3 were examined using high-resolution TEM. For ≤ 2.15% BaZrO3 the solid solutions retain the ordered “1:2” structure of the Ba[(Zn,Ni)1/3Ta2/3]O3 end-member but are comprised of small ordered domains whose size decreases as the Zr content is raised. The decrease in the size of the domains parallels a decrease in the processing time required to access a low-loss state. Although for pure Ba[(Zn,Ni)1/3Ta2/3]O3 reductions in the degree of cation order produce a large increase in the dielectric loss, the Zr-substituted ceramics retain a very low loss. We believe the low losses of the 1:2 ceramics are derived from the stabilization of the ordering-induced domain boundaries via the partial segregation of the Zr cations. For substitutions between 3% and 5% BaZrO3 the size of the ordered domains continues to decrease but the system undergoes an abrupt transformation to a cubic “1:1” ordered structure with a doubled perovskite repeat. The structures of these phases have been interpreted using a “random layer” model in which one site is occupied by Ta and the other by a random distribution of Zn, Zr, and the remaining Ta cations, i.e., Ba{[Zn(2-y)/3Ta(1–2y)/3Zry]1/2[Ta1/2]}O3. Although the ordering is confined to nano-sized domains, these ceramics also exhibit low losses, again reflecting the relative stability of the domain boundaries. In this case we believe the low losses reflect the effectiveness of the random layer in stabilizing the anti-phase boundaries.

Notes: The isothermal oxidation of HfC single crystals with (100) orientation was carried out using an electromicrobalance at temperatures of 600° to 900°3C at an oxygen pressure of 2 to 8 kPa. Nonisothermal oxidation was performed by a simultaneous thermogravimetry—differential thermal analysis—mass spectrometry analysis. A polished cross section of the oxidized crystal was observed by backscattered electron imaging in a scanning electron microscope. Quantitative chemical analysis for Hf, O, and C and their elemental profiles in the HfC and oxide scale was carried out by wavelength dispersive X-ray microanalysis. It was found that the oxide scale consists of two regions, zones 1 and 2, both of which showed the existence of carbon. The carbon content at the middle point of zone 1 was about twice that in zone 2, which contained 7 to 14 at.% carbon. Zone 1 showed an almost compact and pore-free phase; its thickness remained constant (1 to 2 μm) after a prolonged time. The thickness of zone 2 increased linearly with time. The oxidation mechanism including interfacial reaction responsible for the deposition of carbon is discussed.

Notes: Basic principles of fabricating tile glazes based on cordieritic glass-ceramics are explained. Glass compositions from the MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 three-component phase diagram have been melted with and without the nucleating agent TiO2. Additionally, a sodium borosilicate glass that is commonly used in the tile glaze industry has been wet milled, together with the previous compositions, to produce a coating slip. Studies are focused on the role of the nucleating agent and glassy formulation in the crystallization of the glass-ceramic system using differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffractometry, and scanning electron microscopy. When added to a borosilicate glass, only one composition is capable of crystallizing cordierite under a fast-firing cycle used for “monoporosa” production. The porosity of the glaze layer is sufficiently low and the crystal size is small to ensure good mechanical and chemical properties. The presence of cordierite crystals in the glaze should enhance abrasion and acid resistance, in comparison to a traditional matte glaze that contains mostly enstatite or diopside crystals.

Notes: Transparent and highly oriented Ba2NaNb5O15 (BNN) thin films have been prepared by using metal alkoxides. A homogeneous precursor solution was prepared by the controlled reaction of NaOC2H5, Nb(OC2H5)5, and barium metal. The BNN precursor included a molecular-level mixture of NaNb(OC2H5)6 and Ba[Nb(OC2H5)6]2 in ethanol. The alkoxy-derived powder crystallized to a low-temperature phase, and then transformed to orthorhombic BNN (tungsten bronze) at 600°3C. BNN precursor films on substrates crystallized to orthorhombic BNN at 800°3C via the low-temperature phase. Highly (002) oriented BNN films of tungsten bronze structure were successfully prepared on MgO (100) substrates at 700°3C by using BNN underlayer.

Notes: An aqueous-based system (Si-Al2O3-Y2O3-Fe2O3) for processing sintered reaction-bonded silicon nitride (SRBSN) was investigated with an emphasis on chemical control of suspension component interactions. Chemical stability and dispersion properties of a commercial silicon powder were characterized using electroacoustic, adsorption isotherm, and rheological measurements. The interactions of silicon with nitriding agent, sintering aids, dispersants, and binder were considered. The effects of pH, electrolyte, aging, particle size, and solids loading were examined. The suspension properties of the silicon powder were influenced by the native oxide film and powder treatment history. The silicon—oxide composite particles exhibit dispersion behavior similar to silica, characterized by a negative surface potential above pH 2. A method to improve the dispersion and homogeneity of suspension components based on the use of quaternary amine dispersants is proposed.

Notes: The kinetics of grain growth and Ostwald ripening in Al2O3-ZrO2 two-phase composites was systematically investigated using two-dimensional (2-D) computer simulations, based on a diffuse-interface field model. Using average values for the experimentally measured ratios of the grain boundary energies to the interphase boundary energy as the input, the predicted 2-D microstructural features and their evolution are in excellent qualitative agreement with experimental observations on 2-D cross sections of 3-D Al2O3-ZrO2 two-phase composite microstructures. It was found that the coupled grain growth in Al2O3-ZrO2 composites is controlled by long-range diffusion and the average size (Rt) as a function of time (t) follows the power-growth law, Rmt - Rm0=kt with m= 3, which is independent of the initial microstructures and volume fractions of the two phases. The predicted variation of the kinetic coefficient (k) on the volume fraction follows a trend similar to that experimentally measured through the entire range of volume fractions. The scaling of grain size distributions is observed at a given volume fraction, i.e., they are time-invariant in the steady state. However, the characteristics of size distributions vary with the initial microstructures and the volume fractions. The relationship between matrix grain size and second-phase grain size is discussed.

Notes: It was observed that slurries of oxide powders in oxidized polybutene fluids can be caused to change reversibly between fluid, nearly Newtonian behavior and plastic behavior by modest changes in temperature. This phenomenon was believed to result from changes in the dispersion vs association among the particles. The rheological effects of temperature, polymer oxidation, and particle size were observed for 30 vol% slurries of TiO2, Al2O3, and ZrO2 powders in polybutene fluids. Elasticity (in oscillation) and low-shear-rate viscosity (in steady shear) were observed to increase with increasing temperature for TiO2 and Al2O3 particles in oxidized polybutene fluids. This behavior was attributed to the creation of interparticle structures. The attainment of this structure on heating was observed to be inhibited by increased oxidation of the polymer and increased particle size. It was concluded that the adsorption of oxidized molecules from the polymer liquid, along with the high viscosity of the bulk polymer, resulted in suspensions that were metastable against coagulation. Increased temperature resulted in lower viscosities of the liquid, allowing coagulation on a short time scale. The presence of the adsorbed polymer, however, prevented intimate contact among the particles so that the coagulated structure was easily destroyed upon subsequent cooling and shearing.

Notes: Minimum infiltration times during isothermal chemical vapor infiltration were calculated for the formation of a silicon carbide matrix composite from methyltrichlorosilane (MTS). Several different reaction models were used to describe the SiC deposition kinetics. The results show that the nature of the reaction model has a significant effect on process optimization considerations. It is clear that a simple first-order deposition reaction does not accurately describe the infiltration process, while rate expressions that treat the effect of chlorine-containing byproduct gases provide much more accurate predictions. In theory, much shorter infiltration times can be obtained with precursor chemistries that do not produce Cl-containing gases. The results also provide guidelines for minimizing infiltration times with MTS.

Notes: Cracking parallel to the fibers in off-axis plies is usually the initial form of damage in composite laminates. This cracking process has been associated with the (transverse) fracture toughness, defined by the critical strain energy release rate, GIc. The measurement of GIc provides basic information about the transverse crack resistance. In this study, the utility of the double torsion (DT) test technique to determine GIc in a glass-ceramic matrix composite (Nicalon/CAS-II) at temperatures up to 1000°3C has been demonstrated. GIc did decrease moderately with increasing temperature (as does the bulk matrix); however, no evidence of an interphase oxidizing effect on crack growth (parallel to the fibers) could be found. The inevitable misalignment of fibers in the material was not very efficient at bridging the crack in the DT specimens, in contrast to the significant matrix crack interactions with the fibers reported for other geometries such as double cantilever beam and flexure specimens.

Notes: NiAl2O4 spinel—mullite composites were prepared by simultaneous replacement of Al by Ti and/or Ni in 3:2 stoichiometric mullite. Specimens having nominal compositions 3(Al2-2xNixTixO3) · 2SiO2 (x= 0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.2) and 3(Al2-xMxO3) · 2SiO2 (M = Ni2+ or Ti4+ and x= 0.05) were synthesized by sol—gel techniques, which provide homogeneous gels in the SiO2-Al2O3 system. Gel structures investigated by infrared (IR) spectroscopy revealed the formation of Al-O-Si bonds in dried gels. The reaction sequence of gel-derived glasses, previously obtained by preheating gels at 750°3C for 3 h, was evaluated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and ultraviolet—visible (UV—vis) spectroscopy. All samples crystallized at around 1000°3C from an amorphous state, but unexpectedly the first crystalline phase was Al-Si spinel in all aluminum-substituted specimens; i.e., a change in the sequence of reaction with respect to the 3:2 stoichiometric mullite was produced. NiAl2O4 spinel was almost simultaneously detected. Two processes of mullite crystallization were observed. The temperature of formation of mullite was the lowest for the higher substituted sample. The microstructure of the final NiAl2O4 spinel—mullite composites found in all Ni-containing samples after annealing for 96 h was examined by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM/EDX), which revealed the presence of small particles of NiAl2O4 spinel dispersed in a mullite matrix. For annealed compositions with the larger Al replacement, i.e., when x= 0.2, a small amount of very small Al2TiO5 particles was also detected by XRD and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Notes: The reactions of stoichiometric Y2O3, CuO, and different barium salts (BaCO3, Ba(NO3)2, BaO2, BaCuO2) for forming various compounds in the yttrium—barium—copper—oxygen system (i.e., YBa2Cu3O7–8, BaCuO2, Y2BaCuO5, and Y2Cu2O5) were systematically investigated by thermal analysis and X-ray diffractometry. In a few cases, the relevant activation energies were calculated. The reaction pathway and kinetics were significantly dependent on the physicochemical and thermal stability of the barium precursors, as well as on the crystalline size of the reagent. Binary BaO-CuO phases formed at low temperature (650°-700°3C) when in the presence of easy-to-decompose barium precursors, and then slowly transformed to ternary compounds; in contrast, when barium ions were released at temperatures of 〉900°3C, ternary phases formed directly from the components.

Notes: A ceramic matrix for carbon-fiber-reinforced ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs) has been developed from poly-siloxane/boron mixtures. Complex geometries can be realized by using standard technologies of fiber-reinforced polymer composites. On pyrolysis, the polymer—filler mixture is converted to a ceramic matrix, consisting of silicon carbide, boron carbide, boron nitride, and a silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) glass, without reacting with the carbon fiber. Because of the large volume increase of the boron filler on nitridation (142 vol%), no multiple reinfiltration of the structure is necessary to achieve a dense matrix. Tensile strength and interlaminar shear strength exhibit maxima at a pyrolysis temperature of 1300°3C, where extensive fiber pullout is observed. Thermodynamic calculations have been used to evaluate the theoretical qualitative and quantitative phase compositions at equilibrium. Thermoanalytical (thermogravimetry—mass spectroscopy) and structural analysis (X-ray diffractometry) have shown a satisfying coherence with respect to the condensed phases, whereas deviations have been noted with respect to the composition of the gas phase.

Notes: Carbohydrates are often key components in the formulation of extrusion pastes, yet the reasons for selection are presently empirical. The influence on paste extrusion of various types of carbohydrates, such as starch, dextrin, lactose, and glucose, have been studied and related to their water retention capacities. The bulk yield stress and the surface shear stress both decrease as the moisture content increases; however, the way in which the water that is present interacts with the carbohydrate has an important influence. The behavior of some carbohydrates can be substantially accounted for by a consideration of packing effects; however, dextrin behaves differently. The carbohydrates function not only as a binder but also as a means of retaining the liquid phase.

Notes: Spherical indentation of thick and thin glass plates was investigated numerically and experimentally. The energy release rate at the tip of a cone crack was calculated by using finite element techniques and used to investigate the applicability in thick plates of Roesler's law relating the cone crack radius to the indentation load. Indentations of thin glass specimens resting on different substrates were also studied numerically and experimentally. The stresses in the thin specimens were calculated and correlated with the observed failures. On the basis of these results, a crack initiation mechanism map was developed for glass specimens on different substrates.

Notes: Stereological measurements were performed to characterize the indentation crack path in a cubic zirconia—10 vol% alumina (c-ZrO2-10 vol% Al2O3) composite. Cracks were generated using Vickers indentation, and the crack propagation behavior was characterized as a function of the indentation loading/unloading rates. Cracks that were produced by Vickers indentation formed at higher crack velocities as the loading/unloading rates increased. The amount of contact between the crack and the Al2O3 particles increased as the indentation rate decreased. The total number of crack—particle interactions per unit crack length also increased as the indentation rate decreased, because of an increase in the number of particles that were fractured per unit crack length, whereas the number of particles that were debonded remained relatively constant as the indentation rate changed. These results suggest that residual thermal mismatch stresses have predominant control of the crack path at lower crack velocities (low indentation loading/unloading rate), whereas elastic mismatch stresses predominate at higher crack velocities (high indentation loading/unloading rate).

Notes: The purpose of this study was to determine the chemical composition changes of hydroxyapatite (HA) coated titanium using surface analysis (X-ray photoemission) and bulk analysis (energy dispersive spectroscopy). The specimens examined were controls and specimens aged 30 min and 3 h at room temperature in distilled water and 0.2M sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.2). Each X-ray photoemission cycle consisted of three scans followed by argon sputtering for 10 min for usually 20 cycles, corresponding to a sampling depth of ∼1500 Å. The energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis was on a 110 by 90 μm area for 500 s. The X-ray photoemission results indicated the oxidation effect of water on the titanium (as TiO2) and the effect of the buffer to increase the surface concentration of phosphorus. No differences in the chemical composition were observed by energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis.

Notes: A novel in situ reaction between a ceria-doped zirconia interphase coating on Saphikon fibers and an outer alumina coating has resulted in the formation of oriented hexaaluminate platelets which can act as a low fracture energy interface barrier for crack deflection in oxide—oxide ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs). The reaction proceeds only in reducing environments where the reduction of the cerium and zirconium ions to their 3+ valent state causes a destabilization phenomenon consistent with previously reported findings. The diffusion of the cerium from the zirconia into solid solution with the alumina can stabilize the layered hexaaluminate structure. Preferred orientational growth of the hexaaluminate parallel to the coating interface was observed which is the required orientation for enhanced debonding at the fiber/matrix interface in long-fiber-reinforced CMCs.

Notes: A layer composed of mullite and silicate glass was caused to form on the surface of a high-purity alumina ceramic in order to enhance the strength of the material. The layer was formed by exposing the specimens above a bed of SiC platelets at 1400°3C to a flowing H2 atmosphere containing ∼0.1% H2O. A reaction between the SiC platelets and the H2O in the environment resulted in the generation of SiO gas. Some of the SiO gas subsequently reacted with ambient H2O in the atmosphere, forming SiO2“smoke” which was deposited on, and reacted with, the alumina substrate. The strength of the ceramic was significantly improved by the reaction layer, which was found to be comprised of mullite and silicate glass. The increases in strength (about 60% above that of the material in the “as-polished” condition) was attributed to the blunting of surface cracks. A similar strengthening effect was observed in samples of the material which had been ground with a 220-grit diamond abrasive wheel (as had all of the samples) but not polished.

Notes: Thin, semiconducting barium titanate (BaTiO3) ceramic bars, with a diameter of 10 to 20 μm, consisting of single grains joined together in series have been prepared to investigate the piezoresistivity in the materials, which was evaluated from their current (I)-voltage (V) characteristics under the loading condition of various bending stresses. I-V characteristics of single grain boundaries in some of the materials were found to exhibit distinct differential negative resistance (DNR) at room temperature with its feature changing with stress. The DNR appeared on the I-V curves at an electric field of several volts per one grain, and has been confirmed to be connected with the transition of current between two conduction states in the grain boundary region. The obtained results indicate that this phenomenon cannot be interpreted by a rise in the temperature of the materials up to their positive temperature coefficient of resistivity (PTCR) region above the Curie point by Joule heating due to current flow, that is their self-heating effect. This newly observed DNR phenomenon has thus been tentatively interpreted by the morphological change in the ferroelectric domain structure in the vicinity of grain boundaries under mechanical and electric stresses, on an assumption that different configurations of ferroelectric domains yield different conduction states in the grain boundary due to a difference in the degree of surface acceptor charge compensation or the anisotropic carrier mobilities in the crystal.

Notes: The real part of the permittivity (ε) and the tan δ of sintered alumina (Al2O3) at about 9 GHz have been measured. The dielectric properties have been examined as a function of purity, pore volume, and sintered grain size. The tan δ is found to depend very strongly on the pore volume, purity, and grain size. ε is far less sensitive to impurities and grain size. The dependence of ε on porosity can be described by simple mixture models as expected. A model of losses in single crystals cannot be extended easily to these materials where extrinsic factors such as porosity, random crystal orientation, grain boundaries, microcracks, and impurities dominate. These factors have been studied in an attempt to describe the tan δ and ε of sintered polycrystalline alumina. In this work, the tan δ for alumina has been studied in near-theoretical density ranges between 9.1 times 10-5 and 2.4 times 10-5 depending on grain size.

Notes: It is well known that the undoped Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 ceramics, prepared through conventional ceramic processing, present no evident aging effect. In this paper, however, a discernible aging phenomenon was observed in an undoped, N2-H2-annealed ceramic. When this sample was later annealed again in air, this effect became negligible again just like that of a normally prepared PMN—PT ceramic. The valence states of Ti ions, which may be changeable in different annealing atmospheres, were assumed to be responsible for the different degrees of aging.

Notes: To test the stability of intergranular amorphous films against crystallization, a model experiment was conducted wherein a thin SiO2 film was deposited on a single-crystal TiO2 substrate, annealed to form a eutectic liquid in equilibrium with the substrate, then quenched and crystallized below the eutectic temperature. This geometry is free of residual stresses and capillary effects proposed by others as kinetic limitations to complete crystallization. Furthermore, using a binary system removes solute rejection barriers to complete crystallization. A remnant amorphous film ∼1.5 nm thick retained at the hetero-interface shows unequivocally that the amorphous film is thermodynamically preferred to a crystal/crystal interface in this system.

Notes: Fast lithium ion conducting glass-ceramics have been successfully prepared from the pseudobinary system 2[Li1+xTi2SixP3-xO2]-AlPO4. The major phase present in the glass-ceramics was LiTi2P3O12 in which Ti4+ ions and P5+ ions were partially replaced by Al3+ ions and Si4+ ions, respectively. Increasing x resulted in a considerable enhancement in conductivity, and in a wide composition range extremely high conductivity over 10-3 S/cm was obtained at room temperature.

Notes: Continuous-carbon-fiber-reinforced silicon carbide composites (C/SiC) were prepared by chemical vapor infiltration in which the preforms were fabricated with the three-dimensional braid method. The mechanical properties and microstructures were investigated. For the composites with no interfacial layer, flexural strength and fracture toughness increased with density of the composites, and the maximum values were 520 MPa and 16.5 MPa·m1/2, respectively. The fracture behavior was dependent on the interfacial bonding between fiber/matrix and fiber bundle/bundle which was determined by the density of the composites. Heat treatment had a significant influence on the mechanical properties and fracture behavior. The composites with pyrolysis interfacial layers exhibited characteristic fracture and relatively low strength (300 MPa).

Notes: A test method to evaluate the fracture toughness, KIC, of thin, small, precracked ceramic specimens is described. The method is applicable for thin plates, wafers, self-supported layers, etc., especially when a large amount of material is not available for testing. The method consists of bonding a small, thin single-edge notched beam on one side of a metallic beam. A stress-free precrack with a square root singularity is achieved when the assembly is deformed in three-point bending.The fracture toughness of a thin, alumina single-edge precracked beam was evaluated experimentally using this method, and compared with that obtained for similar specimens having a 0.3-mm-wide machined notch. Comparison with previously reported fracture toughness values suggests that even a very sharp machined notch overestimates the evaluated fracture toughness.

Notes: Dielectric depression and dispersion were observed in BaTiO3 ceramic films fabricated by electrophoretic deposition followed by sintering. The dielectric constants were depressed down to 6800-4600 around the Curie point (TC). The dielectric dispersion occurred above TC. These dielectric properties are attributable to a surface layer formed during sintering. XRD analysis indicated that the surface layer was a hexagonal-like BaTiO3 phase. A mixed solvent of acetylacetone and alcohol employed in the present work may have been responsible for the formation of the surface layer.

Notes: The crystal structures of the cotunnite-type phases (space group, Pnam, Z= 4) of pure zirconia and hafnia prepared under high-temperature, high-pressure conditions in a multianvil device were refined by time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction. The structures of both compounds are very similar and the nine polyhedral metal-oxygen distances range from 2.133(1) to 2.546(1) Å in ZrO2 and from 2.121(1) to 2.535(2) Å in HfO2. The Raman spectra of both phases resemble one another strongly and are consistent with the cotunnite-type structure. These results confirm that ZrO2 and HfO2 undergo transitions to the same phase at high pressure.

Notes: The electromagnetic array profiling (EMAP) exploration method can be combined with a direct one-dimensional inversion process for conversion to depth to produce a subsurface resistivity cross-section. This cross-section may then be interpreted in parallel with a seismic cross-section to enhance the prediction of rock type and structure. In complex thrust environments and areas of shallow carbonate rocks, the EMAP method is often used to provide additional data either to help the seismic processor and/or to aid the seismic interpretation. In particular, the electromagnetic (EM) data can be used to build an independent seismic velocity file for depth migration.Three EMAP test areas in the western United States are used to demonstrate such a use of EMAP as an expioration tool. The first shows how a velocity file is estimated from resistivity data for seismic depth migration processing in a complex thrust environment. In the second example, the method is applied in layer-cake geology with high seismic velocity rocks at the earth's surface. The third example is another complex thrust environment, but in this case the velocity file derived from the resistivity data is used for stacking the seismic data.

Notes: A fast inversion technique for the interpretation of data from resistivity tomography surveys has been developed for operation on a microcomputer. This technique is based on the smoothness-constrained least-squares method and it produces a two-dimensional subsurface model from the apparent resistivity pseudosection. In the first iteration, a homogeneous earth model is used as the starting model for which the apparent resistivity partial derivative values can be calculated analytically. For subsequent iterations, a quasi-Newton method is used to estimate the partial derivatives which reduces the computer time and memory space required by about eight and twelve times, respectively, compared to the conventional least-squares method. Tests with a variety of computer models and data from field surveys show that this technique is insensitive to random noise and converges rapidly. This technique takes about one minute to invert a single data set on an 80486DX microcomputer.

Notes: High-speed photography has been used visually to study the shape, surface, turbulence and behaviour of an underwater oscillating bubble generated by an airgun. The source was a BOLT airgun with a chamber volume of 1.6cu.in., placed in a 0.85m3 tank at 0.5m depth. Near-field signatures were also recorded in order to compare the instant photographs of the oscillating bubble with the pressure field recorded about 25 cm from the gun. Estimations of the bubble-wall velocity and bubble radius estimated from high-speed film sequences are also presented, and are compared with modelled results. The deviation between the modelled and measured bubble radii was at most 9%. In order to check the capacity for transmission of light through the bubble, a concentrated laser beam was used as illumination. We found that the air bubble is a strong scattering medium of laser light, hence the bubble is opaque.

Notes: We consider the problem of computing the most probable location of a target based on radar measurements of the subsurface. Our algorithm makes use of the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE), which represents a correlation between the measured data and synthetic data generated for the object of interest at different locations. Previous studies assume a plane-wave acquisition geometry and target object(s) embedded in a uniform background. In this paper, a generalization of the MLE method is presented which is valid for discrete point sources (and receivers) and a 2D model (i.e. a 2.5D acquisition geometry). Within this formulation the treatment of a non-uniform background model is also possible. We concentrate on geotechnical ground investigations and assume that the characteristic dimensions of the target object are in the range 1–2λ, (λ being the wavelength). The potential of the method is demonstrated employing cross-hole radar data acquired in a controlled field experiment. The MLE result is also compared with the image obtained employing a full reconstruction method such as diffraction tomography.

Notes: We present a simple method for estimating an effective source wavelet from the first arrival in marine vertical seismic profiling (VSP) data. The method, which utilizes the free-space Green's function of the Helmholz equation, is simple and very computer efficient. We show examples from synthetic and real offset and walkaway VSP data.In the synthetic examples, we show that data modelled with the estimated wavelet give small residuals when subtracted from the reference data. In the real data examples, we show that when modelling with the wavelet estimated from the real data, in a smooth macromodel, we obtain a good fit between the first arrivals in the real and modelled data.

Notes: An expression which is optimum with respect to the simplicity of the numerical computations is obtained for the magnetic field of a polyhedron with constant magnetization. The high accuracy of the results is illustrated using a realistic numerical model.The existence of the magnetic field at points inside the source and on its boundary is discussed and related to real magnetic data modelling.

Notes: The posterior probability density function (PPD), σ(m|dobs), of earth model m, where dobs are the measured data, describes the solution of a geophysical inverse problem, when a Bayesian inference model is used to describe the problem. In many applications, the PPD is neither analytically tractable nor easily approximated and simple analytic expressions for the mean and variance of the PPD are not available. Since the complete description of the PPD is impossible in the highly multi-dimensional model space of many geophysical applications, several measures such as the highest posterior density regions, marginal PPD and several orders of moments are often used to describe the solutions. Calculation of such quantities requires evaluation of multidimensional integrals. A faster alternative to enumeration and blind Monte-Carlo integration is importance sampling which may be useful in several applications. Thus how to draw samples of m from the PPD becomes an important aspect of geophysical inversion such that importance sampling can be used in the evaluation of these multi-dimensional integrals. Importance sampling can be carried out most efficiently by a Gibbs' sampler (GS). We also introduce a method which we called parallel Gibbs' sampler (PGS) based on genetic algorithms (GA) and show numerically that the results from the two samplers are nearly identical.We first investigate the performance of enumeration and several sampling based techniques such as a GS, PGS and several multiple maximum a posteriori (MAP) algorithms for a simple geophysical problem of inversion of resistivity sounding data. Several non-linear optimization methods based on simulated annealing (SA), GA and some of their variants can be devised which can be made to reach very close to the maximum of the PPD. Such MAP estimation algorithms also sample different points in the model space. By repeating these MAP inversions several times, it is possible to sample adequately the most significant portion(s) of the PPD and all these models can be used to construct the marginal PPD, mean) covariance, etc. We observe that the GS and PGS results are identical and indistinguishable from the enumeration scheme. Multiple MAP algorithms slightly underestimate the posterior variances although the correlation values obtained by all the methods agree very well. Multiple MAP estimation required 0.3% of the computational effort of enumeration and 40% of the effort of a GS or PGS for this problem. Next, we apply GS to the inversion of a marine seismic data set to quantify uncertainties in the derived model, given the prior distribution determined from several common midpoint gathers.

Notes: The long-wavelength propagation and attenuation characteristics of three geological structures that frequently occur in reservoir environments are investigated using a theoretical model that consists of a stack of fine and viscoelastic plane layers, with the layers being either solid or fluid. Backus theory properly describes fine layering and a set of fluid-filled microfractures, under the assumption that interfaces between different materials are bonded. The effects of saturation on wave attenuation are modelled by the relative values of the bulk and shear quality factors.The anisotropic quality factor in a fine-layered system shows a variety of behaviours depending on the saturation and velocities of the single constituents. The wave is less attenuated along the layering direction when the quality factors are proportional to velocity, and vice versa when inversely proportional to velocity. Fractured rocks have very anisotropic wavefronts and quality factors, in particular for the shear modes which are strongly dependent on the characteristics of the fluid filling the microfractures.When the size of the boundary layer is much smaller than the thickness of the fluid layer, the stack of solid-fluid layers becomes a layered porous media of the Biot type. This behaviour is caused by the slip-wall condition at the interface between the solid and the fluid. As in Biot theory, there are two compressional waves, but here the medium is anisotropic and the slow wave does not propagate perpendicular to the layers. Moreover, this wave shows pronounced cusps along the layering direction, like shear waves in a very anisotropic single-phase medium.

Notes: Responses of a multifrequency, multicoil airborne electromagnetic (AEM) system were modelled numerically for 3D electrical conductors embedded in a resistive bedrock and overlain by an overburden of low to moderate conductivity. The results cover a horizontal coplanar coil configuration and two frequencies, 7837 Hz and 51 250 Hz. The models studied are single or multiple, poor conductors (conductance lower than 0.1 S) embedded in a host rock of high but finite resistivity (5000 Ωm) and overlain by a layer of overburden with finite thickness and low to moderate conductivity (conductance up to 2 S).On the basis of the modelling results, limits of detectability for poor conductors have been studied for the various model structures. The results indicate that the anomaly from a steeply dipping, plate-like conductor will decrease significantly when the conductor is embedded in a weakly conductive host rock and is overlain by a conductive overburden. However, an anomaly is obtained, and its magnitude can even increase with increasing overburden conductivity or frequency. The plate anomaly remains practically constant when only the overburden thickness is varied. Changes in overburden conductivity will cause the plate-anomaly values to change markedly. If the plate conductance is less than that of the overburden, a local anomaly opposite in sign to the normal type of anomaly will be recorded. Another major consequence is that conductors interpreted with free-space models will be heavily overestimated in depth or underestimated in conductance, if in reality induction and current channelling in the host rock and overburden make even a slight contribution to the anomalous EM field.The lateral resolution for the horizontal coplanar coil system was found to be about 1.7 times the sensor altitude. Similarly, the lateral extension of a horizontal conductive ribbon, required to reach the semi-infinite (half-space) behaviour, is more than three times the sensor altitude. Finally, screening of a steeply dipping plate, caused by a small, conductive horizontal ribbon, is much more severe than screening of the same plate by an extensive horizontal layer.

Notes: We consider the problem of determining and predicting how the wave speeds in particular directions for a transversely isotropic (TI) medium depend on particular combinations of the density-normalized moduli Aij. The expressions for the qP and qSV velocities are known to depend on four moduli. Normally, we can only determine three independent parameters from qP data, or two from qSZ data, as the others have much lower sensitivity. The resolvable parameters are conveniently described by axial and off-axis parameters: for qP rays, P0°= A11, P90°= A33 and P45°=(A11+ A33)/4 + (A13+2A55)/2; and for qSV rays, S0°= S90°=A55 and S 45°= (A11+ A 33)/4- A13/2. These parameters control the magnitude of the squared-velocities on the axes and at approximately 45°. For an arbitrary TI medium, if the medium is perturbed in a way that preserves a particular parameter, then slowness points in the associated direction and mode witl be approximately preserved in the new medium. we refer to these parameters as ‘push-pins’, i.e. if a parameter is fixed, the associated part of the slowness surface is pinned in place.Because, these five push-pins only contain four independent moduli, we can only fix at most three push-pins. Perturbing one of the other parameters inevitably perturbs the other. Numerical results illustrating the linkage between two push-pins, when three are fixed, are presented.So-called anomalous TI media occur when the roles of the qP and qSV waves are reversed: in some directions the faster ray has transverse polarization. That, in turn, requires anomalous velocities at the push-pins, i.e. S0° 〉 P0°, S45° 〉 P45° and/or S90° 〉 P90° (equivalent to the usual anomalous conditions A11 〈 A55, 〈 0 and/or A33 〈 A55). In the Appendix, we confirm that anomalous sensitivities of the velocities at the five push-pins only occur in such media, although the push-pins still apply if interpreted appropriately. Truly anomalous sensitivities, in which push-pins play no role, only occur in media near the boundary between normal and anomalous.

Notes: Electrical conductivity mapping is a prerequisite tool for hydrogeological or environmental studies. Its interpretation still remains qualitative but advantages can be expected from a quantitative approach. However a full 3D interpretation is too laborious a task in comparison with the limited cost and time which are involved in the majority of such field studies. It is then of value to define the situations where lateral variations are sufficiently smooth for a 1D model to describe correctly the underlying features.For slingram conductivity measurements, criteria allowing an approximate 1D inversion are defined: these mainly consist of a limited rate of variation over three times the intercoil spacing.In geological contexts where the weathering has generated a conductive intermediate layer between the underlying sound rock and the soil, this processing can be applied to determine the thickness of the conductive layer from the apparent resistivity map when the other geoelectrical parameters are known. The examples presented illustrate this application.

Notes: A method to determine the position and magnetization vector of buried objects producing a magnetic anomaly is described. The data used were collected in boreholes. Since the anomaly is due to a number of objects, a ‘stripping’ procedure is employed for finding them, and therefore the process of inversion for finding all objects causing the anomaly consists of a few inversion steps.In each inversion step, two dipoles are considered as a model which approximates an object. The position and magnetic moments of the dipoles are the unknown parameters. The initial parameters are optimized by minimization of an objective function. The optimization procedure consists of a combination of linear and non-linear inversion. The solution of the linear inversion is obtained by singular value decomposition and that of the non-linear inversion by a six-dimensional simplex method (polytope algorithm). After finding one object, its effect is subtracted (‘stripped’) from the data and a new inversion step is started with new initial models and with a reduced data set. The inversion steps for finding different objects are continued until the absolute norm of the data becomes less than some adjustable value.The data will also be inverted assuming a three-dipole model in order to find the effect of using a more complex model in the inversion.The efficiency of the method is demonstrated using synthetic and real borehole data.

Notes: A simple numerical procedure is described for measuring the distance XY in the generalized reciprocal method when there are significant measurement errors in the refracted arrival times. It is applicable when the XY value is of similar magnitude to or less than the receiver spacing. Such conditions frequently occur in using the reciprocal or generalized reciprocal methods to estimate static corrections from first-break times measured in multifold seismic reflection profiling. The use of the method is illustrated with data from both deep and high-resolution seismic reflection profiles.

Notes: An analytical transient solution is obtained for propagation of compressional waves in a homogeneous porous dissipative medium. The solution, based on a generalization of Biot's poroelastic equations, holds for the low- and high-frequency ranges, and includes viscoelastic phenomena of a very general nature, besides the Biot relaxation mechanism. The viscodynamic operator is used to model the dynamic behaviour associated with the relative motion of the fluid in the pores at all frequency ranges. Viscoelasticity is introduced through the standard linear solid which allows the modelling of a general relaxation spectrum. The solution is used to study the influence of the material properties, such as bulk moduli, porosity, viscosity, permeability and intrinsic attenuation, on the kinematic and dynamic characteristics of the two compressional waves supported by the medium. We also obtain snapshots of the static mode arising from the diffusive behaviour of the slow wave at low frequencies.

Notes: Sedimentary rocks beneath the Columbia River Basalt Group are recognized as having potential for oil and gas production, but the overlying layered basalts effectively mask seismic reflections from the underlying sediments. Four electromagnetic (EM) methods have been applied on profiles crossing Boylston Ridge, a typical east–west trending anticline of the Yakima Fold Belt, in an attempt to map the resistivity interface between the basalts and the sediments and to map variations in structure and resistivity within the sediments. The EM surveys detected strong variations in resistivity within the basalts, and in particular the continuous magnetotelluric array profiling (EMAP) revealed resistivity lows beneath the surface anticlines. These low resistivity zones probably coincide with fracturing in the core of the anticlines and they appear to correlate well with similar zones of low seismic velocity observed on a nearby seismic profile.The controlled-source EM surveys (in-loop transient, long-offset transient, and variable-offset frequency-domain) were designed in anticipation of relatively uniform high resistivity basalts, and were found to have been seriously distorted by the intrabasalt conductors discovered in the field. In particular, the resistivity sections derived from 1D inversions were found to be inconsistent and misleading. The EMAP survey provided the most information about the subsurface resistivity distribution, and was certainly the most cost-effective. However, both controlled-source and EMAP surveys call for accurate 2D or 3D inversion to accommodate the geological objectives of this project.

Notes: Five examples, obtained during exploration for hydrocarbons in the Pannonian Basin of Hungary, are used to show how the interpretation of seismic sections can be usefully complemented by results from MT surveys.Selection of the most appropriate MT quantities, considered to be proper ‘MT attributes’ for the purpose of visualization as well as recognition of the subsurface structures and the different inversions of MT data is essential for practical integration of seismic and MT surveys.A new technique providing a semiquantitive MT-attribute pseudosection for the purpose of visualization of the subsurface structures is proposed. The procedure utilizes derivative functions of the phase of MT impedance for visualization and derives estimated depths from the Bostick transformation of Cagniard apparent resistivities.On the basis of the MT-attribute pseudosections, constructed from the phase derivatives and transformed resistivity data, depths are estimated for interfaces between geological formations with significant resistivity contrast. In particular examples, the interface between the Tertiary sediments and the older basement rocks as well as tectonic fracture zones with decreased resistivity can be resolved.

Notes: A new 3D wavefield modelling approach based on dynamic ray tracing is presented. This approach is called wavefront construction, and it can be used in 3D models with constant or smoothly varying material properties (S- and P-velocity and density) separated by smooth interfaces. Wavefronts consisting of rays arranged in a triangular network are propagated stepwise through the model. At each time step, the differences in a number of parameters are checked between each pair of rays on the wavefront. New rays are interpolated whenever this difference between pairs of rays exceeds some predefined maximum value. A controlled sampling of the wavefront at all time steps is thus obtained. Receivers are given multiple-event values by interpolation when the wavefronts pass them. The strength of the wavefront construction method is that it is robust and efficient.

Notes: This work presents a new modelling scheme for the simulation of electromagnetic radio waves, based on a full-field simulator. Maxwell's equations are modified in order to include dielectric attenuation processes, such as bound- and free-water relaxation, ice relaxation and the Maxwell–Wagner effect. The new equations are obtained by assuming a permittivity relaxation function represented by a generalized Zener model. The convolution integral introduced by the relaxation formulation is circumvented by defining new hidden field variables, each corresponding to a different dielectric relaxation. The equations are solved numerically by using the Fourier pseudospectral operator for computing the spatial derivatives and a new time-splitting integration algorithm that circumvents the stiffness of the differential equations. The program is used to evaluate the georadar electromagnetic response of a Japanese burial site, in particular, a stone coffin-like structure.

Notes: The clay-sand mixture model of Xu and White is shown to simulate observed relationships between S-wave velocity (or transit time), porosity and clay content. In general, neither S-wave velocity nor S-wave transit time is a linear function of porosity and clay content. For practical purposes, clay content is approximated by shale volume in well-log applications. In principle, the model can predict S-wave velocity from lithology and any pair of P-wave velocity, porosity and shale volume. Although the predictions should be the same if all measurements are error free, comparison of predictions with laboratory and logging measurements show that predictions using P-wave velocity are the most reliable. The robust relationship between S- and P-wave velocities is due to the fact that both are similarly affected by porosity, clay content and lithology. Moreover, errors in the measured P-wave velocity are normally smaller than those in porosity and shale volume, both of which are subject to errors introduced by imperfect models and imperfect parameters when estimated from logs.Because the model evaluates the bulk and shear moduli of the dry rock frame by a combination of Kuster and Toksöz’ theory and differential effective medium theory, using pore aspect ratios to characterize the compliances of the sand and clay components, the relationship between P- and S-wave velocities is explicit and consistent. Consequently the model sidesteps problems and assumptions that arise from the lack of knowledge of these moduli when applying Gassmann's theory to this relationship, making it a very flexible tool for investigating how the vP-vs relationship is affected by lithology, porosity, clay content and water saturation. Numerical results from the model are confirmed by laboratory and logging data and demonstrate, for example, how the presence of gas has a more pronounced effect on P-wave velocity in shaly sands than in less compliant cleaner sandstones.

Notes: A publicly available and maintained electromagnetic finite-difference time domain (FDTD) code has been applied to the forward modelling of the response of 1D, 2D and 3D geophysical targets to a vertical magnetic dipole excitation. The FDTD method is used to analyse target responses in the 1 MHz to 100MHz range, where either conduction or displacement currents may have the controlling role. The response of the geophysical target to the excitation is presented as changes in the magnetic field ellipticity.The results of the FDTD code compare favourably with previously published integral equation solutions of the response of 1D targets, and FDTD models calculated with different finite-difference cell sizes are compared to find the effect of model discretization on the solution. The discretization errors, calculated as absolute error in ellipticity, are presented for the different ground geometry models considered, and are, for the most part, below 10% of the integral equation solutions.Finally, the FDTD code is used to calculate the magnetic ellipticity response of a 2D survey and a 3D sounding of complicated geophysical targets. The response of these 2D and 3D targets are too complicated to be verified with integral equation solutions, but show the proper low- and high-frequency responses.

Notes: The applications of electromagnetics have increased in the past two decades because of an improved understanding of the methods, improved service availability, and the increased focus of exploration in the more complex reservoir characterization issues. For electromagnetic methods surface applications for hydrocarbon Exploration and Production are still a special case, while applications in borehole and airborne research and for engineering and environmental objectives are routine.In the past, electromagnetic techniques, in particular deep transient electromagnetics, made up a completely different discipline in geophysics, although many of the principles are similar to the seismic one. With an understanding of the specific problems related to data processing initially and then acquisition, the inclusion of principles learned from seismics happened almost naturally. Initially, the data processing was very similar to seismic full-waveform processing. The hardware was also changed to include multichannel acquisition systems, and the field procedures became very similar to seismic surveying. As a consequence, the integration and synergism of the interpretation process is becoming almost automatic.The long-offset transient electromagnetic (LOTEM) technique will be summarized from the viewpoint of its similarity to seismics. The complete concept of the method will also be reviewed. An interpretation case history that integrates seismic and LOTEM from a hydrocarbon area in China clearly demonstrates the limitations and benefits of the method.

Notes: A correspondence principle is derived that relates the Green's functions (point-receiver responses to point-source excitations) for 2D transient diffusive electro-magnetic fields with electric field in the vertical plane to 2D seismic waves (in the acoustic approximation) with particle velocity in the vertical plane in arbitrarily inhomogeneous media. The constituent medium parameters in the two cases are related via two global proportionality constants. The kernels in the integral operators that express the diffusion phenomenon in terms of the wave phenomenon are of a smoothing nature. The fact that they are explicitly known can be of importance to the inverse operation. The correspondence principle is the fundamental tool in comparing the spatial resolving powers in the two methods of geophysical prospecting.

Notes: A case history is presented where electromagnetic (EM) methods were applied as a complement to seismic, for structural mapping in basin-and-range-like geology: 366 five-component magnetotelluric (MT) soundings were carried out together with 331 transient soundings (TDEM) along seismic lines.Due to high structural complexity, seismic shows a number of limitations. For the same reasons, MT is highly perturbed and three specific interpretation techniques were comprehensively applied:1. a classical correction of static effect using TDEM sounding, to determine the high-frequency nondistorted apparent resistivities and thus the corrected tensor;2. a so-called regional correction based upon the same concept as the static effect, to transform distorted resistivity curves due to the horst/graben situation into plausible 1D curves, through the use of nomograms built for 2D H-polarization situations;3. a stripping technique which made it possible to map areas where a deep conductive Mesozoic shale was present below carbonates, at a depth of 3 km.After the best MT interpretation was obtained along each line, it was integrated with seismic and with the results from two boreholes. A crude empirical law relating resistivity and acoustic velocity was established and the MT horizons were plotted on the two-way traveltime seismic sections.The final integrated cross-sections obtained are undoubtedly of greater use to the explorationist than the initial seismic sections alone and two wells were accurately predicted.

Notes: We investigate the magnetotelluric response of two-dimensional bodies, characterized by the presence of low-frequency dispersion phenomena of the electrical parameters. The Cole-Cole dispersion model is assumed to represent the frequency dependence of the ‘impedivity’ complex function, defined as the inverse of Stoyer's ‘admittivity’ complex parameter. To simulate real geological situations, we consider three structural models, representing a sedimentary basin, a geothermal system and a magma chamber, assumed to be partially or totally dispersive. From a detailed study of the frequency and space behaviours of the magnetotelluric parameters, taking known non-dispersive results as reference, we outline the main peculiarities of the local distortion effects, caused by the presence of dispersion in the target media. Finally, we discuss the interpretative errors which can be made by neglecting the dispersion phenomena. The apparent dispersion function, which was defined in a previous paper to describe similar effects in the one-dimensional case, is again used as a reliable indicator of location, shape and spatial extent of the dispersive bodies. The general result of this study is a marked improvement in the resolution power of the magnetotelluric method.

Notes: Highly non-linear seismic trace inversion problems can be solved efficiently by an implementation of Tabu Search, a meta-heuristic method related to artificial intelligence. The implementation under consideration is a deterministic, global search that combines the advantages ofa local search, giving a quick descent to local misfit minima, with an ability to cross misfit barriers in the model space. Once Tabu Search has found an area of low misfit, it performs an extensive exploration of its deepest points. This property makes it possible to use Tabu Search for a semiquantitative resolution and uncertainty analysis of the inverse problem.

Notes: A first-order one-way wave system has been created based on characteristic analysis of the acoustic wave system and optimization of the dispersion relation. We demonstrate that this system is equivalent to a third-order scalar partial-differential equation which, for a homogeneous medium, reduces to a form similar to the 45° paraxial wave equation. This system describes accurately waves propagating in a 2D heterogeneous medium at angles up to 75°.The one-way wave system representing downgoing waves is used for a modified reverse time migration method. As a wavefield extrapolator in migration, the downgoing wave system propagates the reflection events backwards to their reflectors without scattering at the discontinuities in the velocity model. Hence, images with amplitudes proportional to reflectivity can be obtained from this migration technique. We present examples of the application of the new migration method to synthetic seismic data where P-P reflections P-SV converted waves are present.Absorbing boundaries, useful in the generation of synthetic seismograms, have been constructed by using the one-way wave system. These boundaries absorb effectively waves impinging over a wide range of angles of incidence.

Notes: The filter for wave-equation-based water-layer multiple suppression, developed by the authors in the x-t, the linear τ-p, and the f-k domains, is extended to the parabolic τ-2 domain. The multiple reject areas are determined automatically by comparing the energy on traces of the multiple model (which are generated by a wave-extrapolation method from the original data) and the original input data (multiples + primaries) in τ-p space. The advantage of applying the data-adaptive 2D demultiple filter in the parabolic τ-p domain is that the waves are well separated in this domain. The numerical examples demonstrate the effectiveness of such a dereverberation procedure. Filtering of multiples in the parabolic τ-p domain works on both the far-offset and the near-offset traces, while the filtering of multiples in the f-k domain is effective only for the far-offset traces.Tests on a synthetic common-shot-point (CSP) gather show that the demultiple filter is relatively immune to slight errors in the water velocity and water depth which cause arrival time errors of the multiples in the multiple model traces of less than the time dimension (about one quarter of the wavelet length) of the energy summation window of the filter. The multiples in the predicted multiple model traces do not have to be exact replicas of the multiples in the input data, in both a wavelet-shape and traveltime sense. The demultiple filter also works reasonably well for input data contaminated by up to 25% of random noise. A shallow water CSP seismic gather, acquired on the North West Shelf of Australia, demonstrates the effectiveness of the technique on real data.

Notes: The significant development in acoustic full waveform logging during the last ten years has made it increasingly possible for log analysts to determine the physical properties of a rock formation in situ.Parallel to the methods applied to a single wavetrain during seismic processing, the new techniques, used for sets of wavetrains, have been successfully tested with acoustic full waveforms. Instantaneous characteristics analysis is included in this group of methods. This approach, leading to qualitative and quantitative interpretation, reveals the influence of small changes in physical properties on acoustic full wavetrains.Applications of complex acoustic waveform analysis for the determination of inhomogeneous zones are presented. Colour diagrams of instantaneous characteristics are used for the detection of fractured regions and slow formations with increased attenuation of acoustic waves.Results of the interpretation of individual acoustic full waveforms, based on cross-correlation and spectral analysis, using the IDNP and IDNS computer programs, e.g. velocities of compressional waves, shear and Stoneley waves, are presented. Since the bulk density of the rocks was known, it was possible, using the velocities of P- and S-waves obtained, to calculate the dynamic elastic moduli. We used the interpretation of acoustic full wavetrains to calculate porosity. The sonic porosity is compared to the porosity obtained from other logs and to that obtained from core sample analysis.The examples of acoustic full wavetrains were recorded in the Miocene sulphur-bearing limestones in central Poland. Field measurements were made using the domestic prototype equipment for well log recordings in shallow boreholes.

Notes: A tomographic imaging technique combined with coherence inversion is proposed for constructing a near-surface model from refraction events. A model obtained from coherence inversion serves as a good background model for the tomographic reconstruction. A simultaneous iterative reconstruction technique (SIRT) algorithm was used for this purpose. This is a simple algorithm and can be easily adapted to irregular acquisition geometry and limited angular aperture. Using synthetic data it was shown that the proposed procedure can be used for determination of local velocity anomalies in a shallow subsurface. The technique was also tested on a real data set.

Notes: A deterministic near-surface correction procedure is developed for multicomponent VSP data, shot using directional sources and recorded using three-component receivers. The method is capable of removing unwanted effects of acquisition such as unequal source strengths or misorientations, but may also remove near-surface multiples and anisotropy. This is of considerable benefit for obtaining accurate and consistent estimates of subsurface anisotropy from different source combinations. Application of the technique is illustrated using a dataset from the Romashkino reservoir in Russia, where three or four different directional sources are used at the same source locations. The technique corrects for the large discrepancies which exist between the estimates obtained using different source combinations. Application of the technique to three wells in the survey region reveals a nearly isotropic subsurface, except for a few isolated zones of moderate to high (2 to 8%) anisotropy which lie close to the expected depth for the reservoir. Although there is no significant correlation with the production figures for each well, the qS1 polarization azimuth within the reservoir does vary at each well location, suggesting that this may be a more sensitive indicator of reservoir Drocess.

Notes: Computational seismic modelling (CSM) plays an important role in the geophysical industry as an established aid to seismic interpreters. Numerical solution of the elastic wave equations has proved to be a very important tool for geophysicists in both forward modelling and migration. Among the techniques generally used in CSM, we consider the finite-element method (FEM) and investigate its computational and visualization requirements. The CSMFEM program, designed for this purpose and developed on an IBM 3090 computer with vector facility, is described in detail. It constitutes a numerical laboratory for performing computer experiments. Two Newmark type algorithms for time integration are compared with other time integration schemes, and both direct and iterative methods for solving the corresponding large sparse system of linear algebraic equations are analysed. Several numerical experiments to simulate seismic energy propagation through heterogeneous media are performed. Synthetics in the form of common shot gathers, vertical seismic profiles and snapshots are suitably displayed, since with the large amounts of data obtained from CSM research, methods for visualization of the computed results must be developed. The FEM is compared with other numerical tools, such as finite-difference and pseudo-spectral methods.

Notes: A 2D reflection tomographic method is described, for the purpose of estimating an improved macrovelocity field for prestack depth migration. An event-oriented local approach of the ‘layer-stripping’ type has been developed, where each input event is defined by its traveltime and a traveltime derivative, taken with respect to one of four coordinates in the source/receiver and midpoint half-offset systems.Recent work has shown that the results of reflection tomography may be improved by performing event picking in a prestack depth domain. We adopt this approach and allow events to be picked either before or after prestack depth migration. Hence, if events have been picked in a depth domain, such as the common-shot depth domain or the common-offset depth domain, then a depth-time transformation is required before velocity estimation. The event transformation may, for example, be done by conventional kinematic ray tracingr and with respect to the original depth-migration velocity field. By this means, we expect the input events for velocity updating to become less sensitive to migration velocity errors.For the purpose of velocity estimation, events are subdivided into two categories; reference horizon events and individual events. The reference horizon events correspond to a fixed offset in order to provide basic information about reflector geometry, whereas individual events, corresponding to any offset, are supposed to provide the additional information needed for velocity estimation. An iterative updating approach is used, based on calculation of derivatives of event reflection points with respect to velocity. The event reflection points are obtained by ray-theoretical depth conversion, and reflection-point derivatives are calculated accurately and efficiently from information pertaining to single rays. A number of reference horizon events and a single individual event constitute the minimum information required to update the velocity locally, and the iterations proceed until the individual event reflection point is consistent with those of the reference horizon events. Normally, three to four iterations are sufficient to attain convergence. As a by-product of the process, we obtain so-called uncertainty amplification factors, which relate a picking error to the corresponding error in the estimated velocity or depth horizon position.The vector formulation of the updating relationship makes it applicable to smooth horizons having arbitrary dips and by applying velocity updating in combination with a flexible model-builder, very general macro-model structures can be obtained. As a first step in the evaluation of the new method, error-free traveltime events were generated by applying forward ray tracing within given macrovelocity models. When using such ‘perfect’ observations, the velocity estimation algorithm gave consistent reconstructions of macro-models containing interfaces with differential dip and curvature, a low-velocity layer and a layer with a laterally varying velocity function.

Notes: The gas industry is continuing to concentrate its research and development efforts on new and advanced technology to improve reservoir descriptions through the producing life and development history of heterogeneous gas reservoirs. A very important aspect of this need is the ability to reduce the uncertainty of estimating probable reserves and to lower the operating costs to recover incremental reserves in producing and depleted gasfields. Established methods for reducing uncertainty in heterogeneous reservoir compartments, such as VSP and cross-well techniques may enhance resolution, but they are currently not economically justifiable in on-shore gasfields. Continuity logging using guided waves is an alternative approach to analysing inter-well seismic data to confirm the continuity of heterogeneous gas reservoir compartments; in particular, the continuity of sand and shale stratigraphy in gas reservoirs.The solution of a coupled system of differential equations based on Biot and homogenization theories is adapted to calculate guided seismic waves trapped in low-velocity layers. The general solution is for a 3D source in a horizontally layered poroviscoelastic medium having isotropic and laterally homogeneous material properties. A unified representation of the medium that includes fluid-solid interactions and viscoelastic losses is incorporated into the solution. The guided-wave part of the vector wave field and fluid-pressure of the complete wave motion in layered dissipative media is verified and used to simulate dispersion and attenuation of guided seismic waves for continuity logging applications. The results of this work suggest that the multimode wave solution is appropriate to simulate guided seismic wave signatures to indicate continuity of layered earth structures in poroviscoelastic reservoirs. In particular, the normal mode information can be used for planning continuity logging surveys and for interpreting the corresponding seismic data. Further, fluid-pressure waveforms show that maximum amplitude normal modes can be detected at layer interfaces in fluid-filled porous media, and the corresponding Airy phase wave groups may carry information on the formation permeability.

Notes: A concise derivation is given for the downward continuation of the tangential fields on the surface to yield expressions for the fields at a specified depth. A homogeneous slab region is assumed for the analysis.

Notes: The near-surface layer is modelled as a constant-velocity layer with varying thickness. The base of the layer is described by a B-spline curve. The optimum model is calculated by minimizing, with respect to the model parameters, the difference between traveltimes predicted by the model and those observed in the data. Once a model has been produced, corrections that are dependent on the raypath geometry through the near-surface layer can be calculated.The effect of the near-surface layer is normally considered to be consistent at each shot or geophone station for all traveltimes arriving at that location (the surface-consistent approximation). This assumption linearizes the problem, allowing timeshifts to be calculated and the traveltimes corrected to a chosen datum, representing static corrections. The single correction at each point is an averaged correction, based on an assumption that is particularly inaccurate in the presence of lateral variations of velocity or thickness of the surface layer, in the presence of large surface layer velocities or in the presence of a thick surface layer. The method presented considers the non-linear relationship between data and model explicitly, hence the correction that is dependent on the raypath. Linearization removes this dependence and reduces the problem to a surface-consistent approximation.The method is applied to synthetic data calculated from a model with surface layer variations. Comparisons are made between the corrected data resulting from the method described here and the conventional surface-consistent approach. From these results it becomes apparent that the near-surface layer inversion method presented here can reproduce accurate models and correct for near-surface layer effects in cases where conventional methods encounter difficulties. Additionally the method can be readily extended to 3D.