Hysteretic nonlinear elasticity of Berea sandstone at low‐vibrational strain revealed by dynamic acousto‐elastic testing

[1] Through changes in wave speed of ultrasonic pulses traversing the sample, we measure variations in the elasticity of dry Berea sandstone as a function of the applied low-frequency (LF) axial strain (varied from 10−7 to 10−5). The approach, termed dynamic acousto-elasticity, is the dynamic analog of static acousto-elasticity where the wave speed is measured as a function of the applied static load. Dynamic acousto-elasticity uses low-frequency vibrational loading of smaller strain amplitude, typically below 10−4, and it includes inertial effects. At strain amplitudes around 10−6, compression and tension produce a material softening of the material. In contrast, a quasi-static compression inducing a strain between 10−4 and 10−3 leads to a material stiffening. At 10−5 strain amplitude, elaborate hysteretic signatures of modulus strain are observed. The measurements provide the first direct experimental evidence of hysteretic nonlinear (wave amplitude dependent) elasticity in a sandstone at low dynamic strains.