Geo-Congress 2020
Application of Microtremor Horizontal to Vertical Spectra Ratio (MHVSR) and Multichannel Analysis of Surface Wave (MASW) for Shallow Bedrock Mapping for Transportation Projects
Publication: Geo-Congress 2020: Modeling, Geomaterials, and Site Characterization (GSP 317)
ABSTRACT
Mapping bedrock layers and their stiffness is an important part of geotechnical site characterization, particularly for highway projects that require significant rock excavation. A variety of invasive and non-invasive techniques can be used for this purpose. In this study, microtremor horizontal to vertical spectra ratio (MHVSR) and multichannel analysis of surface wave (MASW) methods were utilized along a proposed highway alignment, where the bedrock conditions are expected to be very shallow and highly variable. Two/three peaks were observed for the majority of the MHVSR measurements. The origin of the peaks was investigated using the proposed eye shape method in the literature and it was observed that an eye-shape spectral pattern is not always an accurate indicator of a peak with stratigraphic origin. MHVSR peaks in this study were determine to be of stratigraphy origin as they correspond well with the sharp impedance contrasts in the Vs profiles and subsurface layering from the boring logs. It seems that for cases of MHVSR with multiple peaks at very shallow bedrock sites, the peaks are reliable and they typically have a stratigraphy origin. This suggests that the MHVSR technique is a suitable non-destructive, rapid, and cost-effective alternative for traditional drilling and sampling for shallow bedrock mapping.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Geo-Congress 2020: Modeling, Geomaterials, and Site Characterization (GSP 317)
Pages: 622 - 632
Editors: James P. Hambleton, Ph.D., Northwestern University, Roman Makhnenko, Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Aaron S. Budge, Ph.D., Minnesota State University, Mankato
ISBN (Online): 978-0-7844-8280-3
Copyright
© 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Feb 21, 2020
Published in print: Feb 21, 2020
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Analysis (by type)
- Bedrock
- Construction engineering
- Construction management
- Continuum mechanics
- Dynamics (solid mechanics)
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering mechanics
- Frequency analysis
- Geology
- Geomatics
- Geotechnical engineering
- Infrastructure
- Mapping
- Project management
- Rocks
- Solid mechanics
- Stiffening
- Structural behavior
- Structural engineering
- Surface waves
- Surveying methods
- Transportation engineering
- Transportation management
- Transportation studies
- Wave spectrum
- Waves (mechanics)
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