Measurements of third-order elastic constants in rocks

Measurements are reported of third-order elastic constants for nine rocks (sandstones, limestones, granite) and a few synthetic materials at ambient room conditions. Along with velocity, porosity, density, and uniaxial strength, these data constitute a unique database of rock properties. Third-order elasticity successfully describes a variety of acoustic phenomenon in many materials, and measurements exist of third-order elastic constants in metals, plastics, and crystals. A key feature of third-order elasticity theory is that acoustic velocities vary with the stress in a material. In spite of the fact that velocities in rocks are extremely stress dependent, no measurements have previously been published of third-order elastic constants in sedimentary rocks.