Effects of clay content and porosity on wave velocities in unconsolidated media using empirical relations

Abstract

Wave velocities in sandstones are greatly influenced by porosity and clay contents. We formulated new empirical relations for the velocities Vp and Vs in these media which take into account the porosity and clay contents. These relations are Vp ≤ 5.57 - 6.47φ - 2.27C 1-φ and Vs ≤ 3.41 - 4.44φ - 2.23C 1-φ, and can be used to compute velocities for various porosities and clay contents. The results compare favourably with those of other works. © 2004 Nanjing Institute of Geophysical Prospecting.