The effect of joint density on P-wave velocity

In this labratory study, the effect of joint density (number and spacing) on the pressure wave velocity was researched in pyroclastic rocks. After determining the physical properties, the P-wave velocities of intact rock samples were measrued. Then, an artificial joint perpendicular to the measuring direction was created in each sample, and the wave velocity tests were repeated. These tests were continued up to 5 joints with two sets of 2 and 5 cm spacing. Consequently, the data were analyzed using the statistical methods. The results show that the P-wave velocity was decreased by increasing the number of joints in both spacing sets, and thus an inverse linear relationship was obtained. However, as the number of joints increases, the reduction rates of wave velocity were different at two spacing sets. More precisely, up to 3 joints, the reduction rate in the 5 cm spacing set was more than that in the other set. Nonetheles, after the third joint, the decreasing rate in the 2 cm spacing set became greater. Generally, the shorter spacing had a more reduction (attenuation) in the P-wave velocity. In this regard, at a total of 5 joints, the reduction rate of the P-wave velocity in 2 cm spacing set was more than that in the other set.