Wave propagation across the boundary between two dissimilar poroelastic solids

Abstract Two dissimilar isotropic porous media are in welded contact at a plane interface between them. Different sets of boundary conditions are explained to represent the continuity requirements at the common boundary. These are derived from physically grounded principles with mathematical check on the conservation of energy. A new parameter is defined to represent the possible extent of connections between the surface pores of two solids at their common interface. A set of boundary conditions is derived to represent the partial connection of surface pores at the porous–porous interface. Such a partial connection is considered as a basis for an imperfect bonding between two saturated porous solids. At the plane interface, the imperfection in welded bonding is represented by tangential slipping and, hence, results in the dissipation of a part of strain energy. Three types of waves propagate in an isotropic fluid-saturated porous medium. Incidence of a wave at the interface results in three reflected and three refracted waves. Partition of incident energy among the reflected and refracted waves is studied for incidence of each of the three types of waves. Numerical example calculates the energy shares of reflected and refracted waves at the plane interface between kerosene-saturated sandstone and water-saturated lime-stone. These energy shares are compared for different sets of boundary conditions discussed in the study.