Linear dynamics of double-porosity dual-permeability materials. I. Governing equations and acoustic attenuation.

The equations governing the linear acoustics of composites with two isotropic porous constituents are derived from first principles using volume-averaging arguments. The theory is designed for modeling acoustic propagation through heterogeneous porous structures. The only restriction placed on the geometry of the two porous phases is that the overall composite remains isotropic. The theory determines the macroscopic fluid response in each porous phase in addition to the combined bulk response of the grains and fluid in the composite. The complex frequency-dependent macroscopic compressibility laws that are obtained allow for fluid transfer between the porous constituents. Such mesoscopic fluid transport between constituents within each averaging volume provides a distinct attenuation mechanism from the losses associated with the net Darcy flux within individual constituents as is quantified in the examples.