Vertical Shear-Wave Velocity Profiles Generated from Spectral Analysis of Surface Waves: Field Examples

9771612003Final ReportPDFTech ReportRDT 03-006RI 01-053Rayleigh wavesElastic wavesCone penetrometersShear modulusSpectrum analysisSurface wavesSASWSeismicShear wavesCross boreholdBridges and other structuresData and Information TechnologyGeotechnologyHighwaysI42: Soil MechanicsUnited StatesMissouriMissouri. Dept. of Transportation. Research, Development and Technology DivisionAnderson, N.Chen, G.Kociu, S.Luna, R.Thitimakorn, T.Malovichko, A.Malovichko, D.Shylakov, D.Missouri. Dept. of Transportation. Research, Development and Technology DivisionUniversity of Missouri--RollaMissouri. Department of TransportationUS Transportation CollectionSurface wave (Rayleigh wave) seismic data were acquired at six separate bridge sites in southeast Missouri. Each acquired surface wave data set was processed (spectral analysis of surface waves; SASW) and transformed into a sitespecific vertical shear-wave velocity profile (SASW shear-wave velocity profile). The SASW shear-wave velocity profiles generated for each bridge site were compared to other geotechnical data including seismic cone penetrometer shear-wave velocity profiles, cross-borehole shear-wave velocity profiles, and borehole lithology logs. The geotechnical data presented herein indicate the SASW shear-wave velocity profiles correlate well with subsurface lithology logs and available cross-borehole shear-wave velocity control. More specifically, clays, silts and sands exhibit relatively characteristic SASW shear-wave velocities, which increase incrementally with increasing depth of burial. We believe these correlations demonstrate that SASW shear-wave velocities are reliable.77