Relationships between the velocities and the elastic constants of an anisotropic solid possessing orthorhombic symmetry

R. James Brown

This paper reviews the equations of body-wave propagation in an elastic anisotropic medium and then focuses upon the particular case of orthorhombic symmetry. This type of symmetry is believed to be appropriate for describing the wave-propagation behaviour of an industrial laminate, known as phenolic CE, which promises to be a useful material in physical seismic modelling experiments to be conducted within the CREWES Project.

Relationships are derived which enable the determination of the nine elastic stiffnesses of a material of orthorhombic symmetry from nine or more observed body-wave velocities.