An Experimental Study of the Acoustic Properties of Water-Saturated Sand in the –20 to +20°C Temperature Range

Abstract

The water phase transition divides two approximation areas of ground from the standpoint of its elastic properties. It is of interest to study the changes of the acoustic characteristics, both kinematic and dynamic, in the process of freezing and thawing, because they can be indicators of various inelastic characteristics of the transition from one state to another. This paper reports the solutions of the following problems: the design of a measuring cell that introduces minimal distortions in ultrasonic P- and S-wave measurements, monitoring of sample temperature, ultrasonic measurements with a time step that provides the necessary characterization, and analysis of recorded wave patterns and their variations in the course of the phase transition.