A Brief Note on the Effect of Interface Bonding on Seismic Dissipation

In this note, data on the dependence of seismic dissipation on strain amplitude, confining pressure, frequency, and the presence of porefluid are presented. Dramatic differences are seen in the behavior of dry sandstones from two different formations. Boise sandstone shows little dependence of seismic dissipation on strain-amplitude, confining pressure, frequency, and water saturation compared with Berea sandstone. Since both rocks are similar in composition, porosity, permeability, grain size, and grain contact length, this behavior is explained on the basis of the nature of bonding (cementation) between grains, as perceived through petrofabric studies. The effects of bonding at interfaces on the propagation of SH waves in the field are explored in a simple theoretical model which gives seismic dissipation in terms of an effective interface bonding parameter.