The effect of explosion parameters on seismic source wavelet calculation and its characteristics

- This study proposed the method to calculate the source wavelet generated by explosion in rock and soil for seismic exploration
- The relationship between the source wavelets characteristics and the explosion parameters is analyzed
- The result helps to the selection of explosion parameters according to specific target considering source wavelet amplitude and frequency.

This paper focuses on the calculation and analysis of the source wavelet produced by explosions in land seismic exploration, in order to reveal the effect of the explosion parameters on the signal features of seismic records. The calculation process consist of three steps, numerical simulation of explosions in rock and soil, plastic-elastic boundary (PEB) pressure curve fitting and application of the spherical source model. Four groups of explosion parameters are considered, including detonation velocity, charge weight, coupling material and geometry coupling. The study shows that the source wavelets of limestone and sandstone lack of energy in the low frequency range, which can be enlarged by applying a high detonation velocity explosive, a large charge weight and water coupling. The main frequency of source wavelet of loess is relatively low, which can be increased by using a low detonation velocity explosive and a small charge weight. The result is consistent with the field observations and can serve as a guide for selecting the explosion parameters.