Poisson’s ratio [Formula: see text] is an important parameter when interpreting measured geophysical and seismic data. For an isotropic medium, it directly relates to the ratio of P- and S-wave velocities. We have measured [Formula: see text] as a function of pressure and frequency in fluid-saturated sandstones. The method of measuring [Formula: see text] was first tested as a function of pressure and frequency using standard samples. The phase shift [Formula: see text] between radial and axial strains was also measured. For all standard samples, such as the linear viscoelastic Plexiglas, the data indicated that [Formula: see text] correlated with [Formula: see text] and related to a dissipation on [Formula: see text]. Then, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] were measured as a function of pressure and frequency for two dry and fluid-saturated Fontainebleau sandstone samples. Under dry conditions, no frequency dependence and very small pressure dependence were observed. Unusual behaviors were observed under fluid-saturated conditions. In particular, [Formula: see text] of one sample indicated a frequency-dependent bell-shaped dispersion under water and glycerin saturation that correlated with peaks in [Formula: see text]. Plotting the measurements as a function of apparent frequency (i.e., normalizing by the fluid viscosity) indicated a good fit between the water- and glycerin-saturated measurements. The bell-shaped dispersion in [Formula: see text] that was observed for one particular sandstone held for all effective pressures. These variations fully correlated with the peaks of [Formula: see text] observed. Our results can be interpreted using fluid flow and effective medium theories in the case of a porous microcracked rock. Drained/undrained and relaxed/unrelaxed transitions have frequency and magnitude of variations that are consistent with the measurements. The rock sample microcrack density strongly affects this frequency dependence. The inferred [Formula: see text] ratio at low effective pressures also indicates a large frequency-dependent bell-shaped dispersion. The parameter [Formula: see text] is a clear indicator of the frequency-dependent dissipation of [Formula: see text] and relates to the attenuation of P- and S-waves.
Frequency-Dependent Attenuation of P
and S
Waves in Southern California