Theoretical Study on Stress Wave Transmission Through Deep Rock Masses Under a Gradient Geostress Field

ABSTRACT This study theoretically analyzes the gradient geostress field effects on the propagation of stress waves in the deep rock mass. First, a segmented equivalent medium model of deep rock mass is established, in which the rock mass subjected to gradient geostress is divided into multiple segments and the geostress applied to each segment is considered to be uniform. Then, the governing equations of each segmented equivalent medium model were derived, and the nonlinear–discontinuous characteristics method was introduced. Finally, the proposed method was utilized to systematically explore the relationship between the gradient k g of the geostress field and the transmission coefficient T σ . The effects of frequency f 0 and depth x on the transmission coefficient T σ in a gradient geostress field were analyzed. The findings demonstrate that the gradient k g of the geostress field significantly affects stress wave transmission properties. The transmission coefficient T σ increases as the gradient k g of the geostress field increases, and even reaches a value greater than 1.0, indicating amplitude amplification of the transmitted wave. In addition, the transmission coefficient T σ decreases from a value greater than 1.0 to eventually approaching zero as the frequency f 0 increases. Notably, the transmission coefficient T σ increases with increasing depth x when considering the gradient k g of the geostress field, whereas it decreases when not considering the gradient k g of the geostress field. This research offers theoretical insights into the behavior of stress wave propagation during blasting and mineral extraction in deep rock masses.