3686 IEEE Transactions on Power Apparatus and Systems, Vol. PAS-100, No.

8 August 1981
THE COMPLEX GROUND RETURN PLANE
A SIMPLIFIED MODEL FOR HOMOGENEOUS AND MULTI-LAYER EARTH RETURN

A. Deri G. Tevan A. Semlyen A. Castanheira

Technical University of Budapest University of Toronto

Abstract - For modelling current return in homo- are numerically evaluated. The method of the "complex
geneous ground, the paper introduces the concept of an ground return plane" is, inaddition, extended for the
ideal (superconducting) current return plane placed be- modelling of multi-layer ground return.
low the ground surface at a complex distance p equal to
the complex penetration depth for plane waves. This THE COMPLEX GROUND RETURN PLANE
"complex"' plane appears as a mirroring surface, so that
conductor images can be used to derive very simple Fundamental Equations
formulae for self and mutual impedances under ground
return conditions. Such equations, without proofs, were The ideal conductor/ground return (self and mutual)
originally proposed by Dubanton and published by Gary.1 impedances, according to Carsonand in a formadapted to
In this paper, plausibility arguments serve to initially our purpose, are:
justify the procedure, then the equations are analyti-
cally related to those of Carson and, finally, the h + V
errors, which in most cases are less than a few percent, Zs =
5
jw Zs
- _2
2iT
n--+
r
w
uJPo
iT 5 =11
J

are numerically evaluated. The ideal return plane at

complex depth can also be used for multi-layer earth
return.
INTRODUCTION Zn jw-0 i hk) +d2kk
(hh+h)2
Jm s "Vo (2 ')
2i7r (hk-h') 2' + d2 Tr

Knowledge of ground return parameters of transmi-

ssion lines has long been recognized as being important
in telecommunications theory. Later, applications for where the ground corrections terms J are the infinite
calculation of transients on power lines and problems integrals:
related to harmonics have become equally important. A
number of fundamental papers2 7 have developed.ex-
pressions for line return parameters with ground return, . -2hX
Carson's approach2 being the most widely known and Js = P
s
+ jQ
5 s
=

X +
j -dX
+j
( "t)
accepted. It is valid for homogeneous earth and for o
frequencies low enough so that the capacitive displace-
ment currents in ground can be neglected and the wave- and
length is sufficiently large compared to transversal co
geometrical dimensions.
The calculation of line impedances according to .-(hk+hk) X
Jm = P=P + jQ = -j e ~~ cosXd k x dX (2")
Carson is based on equations which contain infinite
integrals with complex arguments. For their evaluation
m
+jQ~~O
m
x+v7 T r 1

Carson has proposed infinite series and also some con-

venient approximations for low and high frequencies
(see also references [8], [9] and [10]). While these
approximations are relatively simple they are valid each
for a limited range of frequencies only, and medium fre-
quencies are not covered.
In this paper it will be demonstrated and analyti-
cally proved that simple and sufficiently accurate ex-
pressions for line impedances, initially proposed by
Dubanton at Electricite de France and published byGary1,
are valid for the whole range of frequencies.
Gary mentions in his paper1, that the Dubanton
equations have probably been obtained by intuitive in-
sight and a proof is still required. The present paper
provides a heuristic justification of the concept of a
ground-current return plane placed at a complex depth,
suggested by Dubanton; then the resultant equations are
analytically related to those of Carson and the errors
and where:
h, hk, ht are the conductor height above ground
r is the conductor radius
d is the horizontal distance between conductors
k and Q
a is the earth conductivity
The above equations were derived by Carson for theearth
permeability p equal to po and an approximation will be
given below for that case.
The complex ground return plane is a plane of per-
fect conductibility, replacing the real earth and
situated at a complex distance p below the.earth surface,
so that the ideal conductor/complex plane impedances
result from the following equations:

Z
s
= ii 2Tr°-O n 2(h +
r
p) (3)

+dk2k
(hk+hg+2p)
2r Qn - (4)
Z =j&
m 2 2
WM 222-9A paper recommended aiid approved by the
IEEE Transmission & Distribution Committee of the
( hk-hI) + dkQ
IEEE Power Engineering Society for presentation at
the IEEE PES Winter Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia, These are the Dubantonm equations. They provide simple
February 1-6, 1981. M.anuscript submitted August 22, and remarkably accurate substitutes to Carson's equa-
1980; made available for printing December 8, 1980. tions (1) and (2) over the whole range of frequencies

1981 IEEE
 3687

for which Carson's equations are valid. at any depth, and an ascending wire. For sucha contour:
It should be mentioned that the convenience of
equations (3) and (4) results from the fact that they f(Edz) = -jwf (5)
can be evaluated by electronic hand held calculators,
while the evaluation of Carson's equations requires a where 4 is the flux crossing the loop. The line-inte-
computer program or reading of numerical values from gral in (5) is
graphs.
The next section contains a plausibility argument
for the validity of these equations.
f(EdQ) = -V + Z cI + IJ (6)
where Z is the impedance (per unit length) of the con-
Plausibility Argumentation ductor, and J the current density at the depth of the
return line of the contour.
The following concepts will be introduced in what From (5) and (6):
follows:
.Equivalent return distance V = Z c I + ar1 J + jw4 (7)
*Complex depth
-Complex ground return plane This equation shows the voltage components of V. If we
The equivalent return distance is defined with the aid
of Fig. 1. The conductor is assumed to be a plane at put Zc = 0, we have
conductor plane conductor plane V = a1 J + jw4 (7')
+

Clearly, the breakdown of V into its two components in

(7') is arbitrary since the return depth was selected
v arbitrarily. It is therefore convenient to consider
the return line at infinite depth, where J = 0. Then,
from (7'):
V = jw (711)
which is valid for a return line at infinite depth.
Equation (7") shows that the impedance of the loop
is

(a) (b)
Fig. 1 To the definition of equivalent return
distance
height h above ground. The magnetic field is parallel
to the ground. The impedance of the conductor/ground
return loop is Z = V/I, as shown in Fig. la. In Fig.lb
the earth is replaced by a perfectly conductive plane
at distance D from the plane conductor. The equivalent
return distance is defined by the requirement that the
impedance Z of the conductor/return plane loop of Fig. lb
be the same as of the loop in Fig. la.
Let D be the equivalent return distance. It turns
out to be a complex length since the inductance of the
loop has to account for the resistance of the earth re-
turn. Therefore p = D h represents the complex depth
-
of the ground return plane below the earth surface.
Because p is complex, this plane will be calied the com-
plex ground return plane. For the plane field of our
discussion the complex plane replaces effectively, and
Z V =
= (8)
Its calculation requires the determination of the flux
produced by I.
Now we recall the definition of equivalent return
distance (see Fig. lb). Let us assume h = 0. Then we
obtain the complex depth p as the distance between the
two planes of Fig. lb for which the flux between the
planes equals the total flux in earth, from its surface
to infinity.
We will calculate the complex depth p for three
cases, all with p =
- Homogeneous earth
- Multi-layer earth
- Continuously stratified earth (here, of
course, strata do not have the customary
significance of discrete layers)
Homogeneous and Multi-Layer Earth
If I denotes the current per unit width (perpendi-
cular in Fig. 1 to the plane of the paper) then
H = H(O) = I, where H(x) is the magnetic field inten-
Q

without loss of accuracy the actual ground return path. sity at depth x. The pertinent differential equations
are:
The complex ground return plane is significant be-
cause the whole current returns through it. It is re-
dE
tained for the case of actual thin conductors, to
dx
-jyp
0
H
(9 1)
construct image conductors. This isa heuristic approach
to extend theusability of the concept of complex ground
return plane for conditions different from those for
dH
dx (9")
which it has been defined. It is assumed that a plane
which serves as an ideal current return path is, by this
and their solution is, for a layer numbered by K (see
fact, an effective mirroring surface, which can be used
even in the case of real conductors. It appears thus Fig. 2):
plausible that equations such as (3) and (4) will be
good substitutes for Carson's formulae, (1) and (2).
HEK7 rC BKDK Hr 1 (10)
Calculation of Complex Depth

Consider in Fig. la a closed loop formed by the

source, (a line in the) conductor plane, descending
wire (dashed), a straight horizontal line in the earth
3688

In (10): or, in the homogeneous earth case (n = 0):

-1 A
A D-6k
2DKPK
K
6K =coshK 0
°
0
= C = C (15')

-1
For this latter case (14) yields
(11) x

H = H e P (16)
o:

Co
and the total flux in the earth is
K =-- KK 2
=
K
sinh
PK co

where f = P H dx =P
VIH0 (17)
1
PK 12')
The complex depth p is defined by means of Fig. lb as
resulting in the same flux 4. Consequently, for homo-
geneous earth and =1=po p-is the complex penetration
depth
12") pe h1
(18)
related to the real penetrat ion depth
6 = 1 (18')
= e PK (122f") by VI 'f p

These equations can be obtained directly or using P

-
= (1l+i)-6 (19)
wave concepts. With F indicating a forward and B a
backward wave, we have: In the multi-layer case equation (10) can be
applied sequentially to obtain
F B
(13)
F B EZ [AK BKo
and (20)
EF = K HF = EF e

In particular, for K = n, (20) becomes

p
EB = KHB BBKK- 1 Enn- -Ano B
no
Eo
(20')
(14) yielding ,A H
PK
HF=HFK-Ie
K-1
n no no

yedn,with the'aid of (15):

H =H K
E A -B
Ano
:
B BK e no n+l
KEC-
1, (20")
A
ow-I no no-
E H

or, eliminating Hn :
EKHK~~~~~~~
n+1 no no
(21)
°
n+l ~n+1 Cn

Fig. 2 Notations for layer no. K since H = I, E can be calculated from (21) and all
EK, HK will be obtained from (20). Consequently, the
Note, that solution (10) is analogous to that of trans- flux in each layer K is obtained by integrating (9'):
mission lines connected in a chain.
If there are n + 1 layers, in the last one (ex-
AK
tending to infinity) there will be no backward wave.
Therefore
E
k = PO Hdx = (EKi - ER) (22)
n
(5 0)
H n+1 (15)
n
 3689
The total flux is from (3) and (4) that the impedances will be (approx-
imately) the same.
f = E¢K (23)
Complex Inductance for
This permits to calculate the complex depth of equation Homogeneous Earth and } $ po
(17):
K For ' ipo the concept of complex plane can still
P p H (24) be used for calculating the conductor/ground return
0 0 impedances, but the pertinent equations will be differ-
ent from (3) and (4). Instead complex inductances
Continuously Stratified Earth
L = R- J (28')
Quite naturally, the multi-layer case can be re- s 7r s
duced by a limiting process to the continuous problem
formulation. So, for instance, equation (10) reproduces L
m
= kEIt Jm (28")
(9), which is available in the first place:
can be calculated for equations (1') and (2'). Indeed,
it will be shown later (see equations (40) and (47))
d E 0 -jwpo EF' (9) that
dx H -a 0 H_
The integration of (9), where a is a function of j
5 Sf 1k
2 h (29')
x, is not possible in closed analytical form 1912. But
the numerical integration is straight forward, for
specified starting values: E(o) = Eo, H(O) = Ho. Since,
however, Eo is not known, one has to use several trial
values until the following objective is satisfied: J a J J kn
i k9n(hkh+2p)2+dk2
at a sufficiently large value of x, denoted by x.,, the
m 2 (h+h2 +d2 Q
(291")
backward wave

E B = 22 (E(x.) C(X.) H(xw) ) for any i.e. for

- (25) 1,

=vrjwtc
1
must vanish. Then, from (9'): (30)
I
x

Fig. 4 helps to interpret equations (29). For two

J| .~~~~~~~~~~~c
0. o
Hdx
i4 (E E )
0 jw) 0
- Xc,
0
jw
(26) conductors, k and i, equation (29") becomes

Finally, the complex depth can be obtained from: (31)

m 2 tkQ
(27)
PH000i k

If we review the way in which the complex depth p

has been calculated, we can see that p represents the
centre of gravity of the return current (or of H(x)).

01

(2)

(3)
-equivalent
homogeneous x
earth: Heq-Hoe P

Fig. 4 To the calculation of complex inductances

Fig. 3 The complex depth p as centre of gravity
of H(x) and (4) becomes

Fig. 3 illustrates this in the case of three layers, 110 hk1

where the area under H(x) has been shaded. The total (32)
area is pHo or the integral under Heq(x) ofxan equiva-
m i2T DM
lent homogeneous earth for which Heq Hoe p . No =

matter what is the shape of H(x), as long as the centre Equation (31) is valid for homogeneous earth and
of gravity is given by the same depth p, itis expected any -p (and so is the correspondent expression for Zs).
3690

It has to be used in conjunction with (28). Equation

(32) is valid only for p = po, but its applicability is s ( q) 2 Qn 1+q + K (39)
s 2 q
plausible for stratified earth as well.
In conclusion, the conductor/ground return loop where K = 0, since J (X) = 0. Then, with (34"),
impedance can be related to the geometrical data of equation (39) yields
Fig. 4 by two terms:
h+p
1. A first term for the ideal ground return, (40)
in which we have the logarithm of theratio
Dg /DU , and the permeability is p . Expression (40) can be used for any p as the correction
2. A second term for the ground correction, term in (1'). If u = po then (11) yields precisely
in which we have the logarithm of the ratio the approximate expression (3) which we wanted toderive.
Dg /Dv , and the permeability is V. It should be mentioned that, for low frequencies,
equation (3) yields the familiar approximation
Consequently, if 1' = Po, and only then, the two terms
can be combined to yield the expression of the total
-7f
D

impedance in which we have the logarithm of the ratio Z Z= i 2 fl

f + -,Zn-t
jwIO
e
[si/ml (41)
Dj /Dk, and the permeability is i' 5 2vT r

ANALYTICAL DERIVATION Indeed, using (19), equation (3) becomes, for |p|>>h:
,k
1Im(w)
_1
V
Self Impedance
We intend to derive equation (3) from (1'). First 1/117
we substitute (30) into (1"):

I -2hX
J= 1 Je dX (33)
s + /X2+ /p2
Fig. 5 To the integration of (35)
where the limits indicate integration along the real
axis. Next we introduce a new dimensionless complex
integration variable w, using
w
X =_- (34')
p
and
h
q=-
p
(34")

We obtain

-2qw
J (q) = Je dw (35)
s
J
I

w + VW'+-
7

(L)
where (L) is the line, at angle -450, shown in Fig. 5
Since the integrand in (35) has no poles in the half-
plane at the right of the dashed line and is zero
around the arc LCL' at infinity, the integration can Fig. 6 To substitution (37)
be conveniently performed -along the real axis L'. It
is convenient then to consider the derivative of (35)
with respect to q:
Zs T27° r 2¶( 4 r
J'(q)
00
f ~-2qw
J (j w2w=w_+W dw (36) or

2 -f 7 "Io 711. 8 (41 ')

The integrals (35) and (36) can not be calculated ana-
lytically but if the approximation (see Fig. 6):
By defining the equivalent distance
-12w2w_ 11-2
- e~2
(37) De = 711.8//f (42)
w + 1/42+1
equation (41) is obtained from (41').
is used in (36) we obtain
Mutual Impedance
J'(q) 1( &
1
-Iq (38)
2 1+q We have to calculate for Jm the integr al of (2").
It differs from the integral (1") or (33) for Js by
Consequently: having in the integrand (hk+hk)/2 instead of h and
also the additional factor cosXdkf. This time, then,
we have instead of (34"):
 3691
h +ht compared numerically, using generalized parameters.A
q =
2p (43) two wire horizontal line with fixed conductor height
and variable conductor separation, has been used for
and we define the tangent of e of Fig. 4 by: this purpose.
Equations (1) and (2) have been evaluated using
the infinite series expansions for the P and Q terms,
dkQ given by Carson2, and were taken as the basis for the
h k+h9 (44) comparison.
For each value (44) of S corresponding todifferent
conductor separations, the value of a (see equations
With (43), (44) and (34'), equation (2") becomes: (48) and (48')) was varied over the range of applica-
bility of Carson's expressions (up to a few MHz). The
results are presented in form of curves. Frequency is
J -2qw (45') measured by a parameter a, defined as:
J (q) = i - - cos(2Sqw) dw h ave
(L)
oc = (48)
or
where have is the average height of the conductors and
6 is the real penetration depth of equation (18').
e-2(1+jS)qw + e-2(1-ji)qw Therefore
Jm(q) 2 Jww + /w2 +1
(45")
h +hi
(L)
a = - vwll2 (48')
Again, we wish to move the integration path to the real 2/iT
axis. This is possible if the integrand is zero on the
arc LCL' at infinity on Fig. 5. For this, it is We note that a is the real part of q defined in (43).
necessary that the complex exponents of the exponential The parameters a and S are related to Carson's
functions of (45") have negative real parts. We note r and e , as follows:
that, on arc LCL':
a -r cose
arg q = 450 2V'2
arg w = -45°...0° and (49)
Therefore arg (1 + j5) must not exceed 450, i.e. we S = tane
require that 5 < 1 (e < 45 ). Then the integration can
be performed along the real axis L'. Figure 7 shows that if the separation between
It appears from the above discussion that our conductors is not too large (5 < 2), the absolute value
proof is restricted to the case S < 1. This is indeed of the error in the total impedance, incurred by using
the case but we proceed with the derivation of the equations(3) and (4) instead of (1) and (2), does not
simplified expression for Zm: its validity over a exceed 3%. For large S (0 close to 900), there is a
wider range for S will then have to be established by frequency range (approximately from 100 Hz up tolO kHz)
numerical testing. This is done in the next section
with the result that equation (4) for Zm is valid, with
only small errors, for the full range of S of any
practical significance.
Now we differentiate (45") with respect to q and 1
then substitute approximation (37). We have thus
only exponential functions in the integrand so,that we 10
can easily perform the integration to obtain J'(q). Its
integration yields:

6
Jm ( q) - 1 J-9,n
2 (46)
/
4

or, taking into account (43) and (44): 2

0
(hk+ht+2p)2 + d 2
(47) - 2
m 2n h )2 + dk
- 4 --
Expression (47) can be used for any p as the correction -3 -2 -1 gOo
log1
term in (2'). If p = po then (2') yields precisely the -I
approximate expression (4) which we wanted to derive. lHz lOOHz lOkHz f IMHz
ERROR EVALUATION

Expressions (1) and (3) for the self impedance, Fig. 7 Relative error in the absolute value of the
and expressions (2) and (4) for the mutual impedance total impedance, including fluxes in air
of an ideal conductor/ground return loop have been (p=1OOQm, hk=hk=20m)
3692
in which the errors become appreciable, although still
acceptable.For geometries encountered at almost all
transmission lines (S < 0.5) the error is smaller than
about 0.5 percent and tendsto 0 for smaller values ofa.
All curves in this figure display an asymptotic beha-
viour, the errors approaching zero, for both low and
high frequencies.
The comparison has been extended to the resistive
and reactive components of the ground return impedance
taken separately. Equations (3) and (4) have been
evaluated and the impedance component related to line
geometry subtracted from them. The results were then
compared with similar quantities derived from equations
(l't) and (2"). Figures 8aand b show the actual errors
found in such comparison, for the resistive andreactive
components, respectively. As before, the error in-
creases as the distance between conductors, expressed
by S, becomes larger, and is negligibly small at
extreme values of a, corresponding to low and high
frequencies.
6 can be obtained by using equations (3) and (4). If
=
31
-6 - _ + (a)
-6
- 3 -2 21 0 ,
loga
%l15 g =10
10 _=(b
Fig. 8 Relative error in the (a) resistive and
(b) reactive components of the ground
return impedances
It should be mentioned that the infinite series
expansion proposed by Carson became instable for r
greater than 8. This fact is responsible for the dis-
continuities found in all error curves. Indeed, to
avoid the instability referred to above, the asymptotic
expression for r > 5 (proposed by Carson2) was used
instead of the infinite series after the limit of r
was reached-.
A comparison test has also been made between the
simplified equations based on the complex return plane
and Carson's asymptotic expressions for other ranges
of r. It can be stated that these asymptotic expres-
sions are very accurate, but only in the range of r
for which they are defined. In this range they compare
favorably with the method given in this paper.
The equivalent distance, De, often found in the
literature, is by 9% smaller than that given by
equation (41), but the latter proved to be marginally
more accurate in the frequency range of its applica-
bility (50 to 200 Hz).
CONCLUSIONS
This paper has presented a formal proof of the
complex ground return plane approach for calculation of
transmission line impedances. The main advantage
offered by this method consistsin its simplicity and
the ease of obtaining accurate results by means of
electronic calculators, while Carson's expressions re-
quire a digital computer for their evaluation.
Although asymptotic formulations of Carson's
equations are also easily evaluated, they have the
drawback of being valid for specific frequency ranges.
On the other hand, the complex plane approach results
in simple formulae which are valid throughout, from
very low frequencies up to several MHz.
Discontinuities obtained by Carson's formulae,
when using asymptotic forms for some frequency ranges,
may be annoying when approximating functions- ( e.g.
rational polynomials) have to be evaluated.
Finally the physical interpretation of the simpli-
fied formulae makes them easy to be retained in memory
and also attractive for teaching purposes.
For calculation of transmission line impedances,
for which a is usually less than 0.5, very good results
couplings between transmission lines and other lines
(for instance, communication lines), are of interest,
such that the values of $ are large, the complex plane
equations can still be used. In this case, however,
larger errors would be introduced, mainly in the audio
frequency range.
REFERENCES
[1] C. Gary, "Approche Complete de la Propagation
Multifilaire en Haute Frequence par Utilisation
des Matrices Complexes"f, EDF Bulletin de la
Direction des Etudes et Recherches-Serie B, No.
3/4, 1976, pp. 5-20.
[2] J.R. Carson, "Wave Propagation in Overhead Wires,
with Ground Return", Bell Syst. Techn. J., 1926
Vol. 5, pp. 539-554.
[3] F. Pollaczek, "fUber das Feld einer unendlich
langen wechselstromdurchflossenen Einfachleitung",
Elektr. Nachr. Tech., 1926, Vol. 3, pp. 339-359.
[4] W.H. Wise, "Effect of Ground Permeability on
Ground Return Circuits", Bell Syst. -Techn. J.,
1931, Vol. 10, pp. 472-484.
[5] W.H. Wise, "Propagation of High Frequency Currents
in Ground Return Circuits", Proc. Inst. Radio
Engrs., 1934, Vol. 22, pp. 522-527.
[6] L.M. Wedepohl, and A.E. Efthymiadis, "Wave Propa-
gation in Transmission Lines over Lossy Ground:
a New, Complete Field Solution", Proc. Inst.
Electr. Engnrs., Vol. 125, No. 6, June, 1978, pp.
505-5 10.
[71 L..M. Wedepohl, and A.E. Efthymiadis, "Propagation
Characteristics of Infinitely-Long Single-Conduc-
tor Lines by the Complete Field Solution Method",
Proc. Inst. Electr. Engnrs., Vol. 125, No. 6,
June 1978, pp. 511-517.
[8] "Transmission Line Reference Book, 345 kV and Above",
Electric Power Research Inst., Fred Weidner and Son
Printers, Inc., 1975.
[9] E. Clarks,,"Circuit Analysis of A.C. Power Systems",
Vol. 1, John Wiley, New York, 1943.
[10] G.O. Calabrese, "Symmetrical Components", Ronald
Press, New York, 1959.
[11] B.C. Kuo,"Automatic Control Systems", Prentice-Hall,
1975, 3rd Edition (book).
[12] H.D'Angelo,"Linear Time-VaryingSystems:Analysis &
Synthesis",Allyn and Bacon, Boston, 1970 (book).
 3693
Discussion Tevan's suggestion) by replacing equations (9) by a single differential
equation in Z = E/H:
M. E. El-Hawary (Faculty of Engineering and Appled Science, Memor-
ial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada):
The authors should be commended for an interesting paper providing dZ j + ¢z2 (50)
further insight into the problem of modeling the effects of earth return dx j~a
in transmission line parameter evaluation. The author's analytical ap- This equation should be integrated backwards from x = where Z
proach using Dubanton equations is sound and provides logical yet
simple procedures for evaluating ground return impedances. tn+l is known, as shown for equation (15). Within a layer (see Fig. 2),
a and ,u are constant and the integrated form of (50) will relate Z from
The evaluation of the complex return distance p in the case of dis- the upper boundary to Z of the lower boundary. On the transition sur-
crete layered earth requires complex matrix multiplications as indicated faces between layers Z has no discontinuity because E and H vary con-
by equations (20). It is possible to derive sequentially recursive relation- tinuously. The fmal result is ZO = EO/Ho at the surface of the earth.
ships to arrive at the elements required by Eq. (21). Have the authors This is the same as the ratio
studied this? This should provide efficient means for calculating the
complex equivalent depth. Eo = n+iAno - Bno
As an aside, this discusser would like to point out that many con-
tributions in the area of developing synthesis seismograms in explora-
Zo H0 Ano -
?n+lCno
tion geophysics utilize formulations partially similar to those developed obtained from equation (21).
in this paper [A]. This is to be expected since acoustic wave propaga- It is interesting to note that the equivalent depth p can be calcu-
tion is modeled in the plane-wave case by equations analogous to (9) lated directly from ZO using equation (24) where
and (10) of the paper.
The authors should be commended for a very clear presentation.
i W2¢K o
0
REFERENCE
Therefore
[A] Wuenschel, P.C., "Seismogram Synthesis Including Multiples and
Transmission Coefficients," Geophysics, Vol. 25, No. 1, pp. 106- n =
4K
-- =
Eo zo
129, 1960. r P OHO ijw"oHo jwp"o (51 )

Manuscript received February 23, 1981.
A. Semlyen: I would like to thank Dr. El-Hawary for his comments on
our paper. We agree that for the calculation of the complex equivalent
depth, in the case of a multi-layer earth representation, a simpler ap-
proach could be developed. This could be achieved (according to Dr.
The most important advantage of equation (50) is perhaps that it
can be easily integrated numerically for obtaining ZO, even in the case
of continuous stratification, starting at a large enough value of x. Then
too, (51) gives directly the value of the complex equivalent depth.
Finally, I would also like to thank Dr. El-Hawary for the informa-
tion related to a procedure similar to ours in exploration geophysics.
Manuscript received April 13. 1981.