Surface Waves Back-Scattering Analysis of a Vertical Surface Crack

The existence of heterogeneities within the near sub-surface becomes a potential hazard to subsurface exploitation activities. Consequently, accurately identifying and characterizing these discontinuities are vital for effective threat mitigation. In this regard, investigating the backscattering of surface waves generated by such obstacles emerges as a critical approach for locating and understanding these heterogeneities. This study focuses on analysing the presence of surface vertical cracks within a homogeneous and layered half-space. Through the analysis of the back-scattering coefficient, a consistent behaviour is identified, and dimensionless expressions can be determined, which can be extrapolated to any type of crack and frequency.