Ability of the Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves Method to Resolve Subsurface Anomalies
Publication: IFCEE 2021
ABSTRACT
This study examines the ability of the multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) method to accurately recover the size, stiffness, and depth of subsurface anomalies. The dispersion data considered in this paper were derived from waveforms generated using two-dimensional (2D) finite-difference elastic wave-propagation simulations. These simulations were performed to replicate a typical MASW field experiment on models with and without subsurface anomalies, referred to as “treatment” and “control” models, respectively. In a previously published study, the treatment and control models were compared exclusively based on differences between their experimental dispersion data to determine whether or not the anomaly could likely be detected. This study examines whether those models previously categorized as containing a detectable anomaly, based on their experimental dispersion data, can be inverted to accurately resolve the anomaly’s size, stiffness, and depth. To rigorously perform the inversions, we adopt the procedures recommended by the surface wave inversion workflow SWinvert, which involves using multiple large-scale global-search inversions to address the problem’s nonlinearity and multiple layering parameterizations to address the problem’s nonuniqueness. Following the inversion process, the shear wave velocity (Vs) profiles from the single “best” model associated with each layering parameterization are compared to the one-dimensional (1D) Vs profile from the centerline of the true model using an error function to quantitatively assess the ability of the MASW method to accurately resolve subsurface anomalies. Intuitively, the ability to resolve subsurface anomalies is shown to improve as the anomaly is moved closer to the ground surface and its lateral extent increases. Surprisingly, however, in this study anomalies with lateral extents less than approximately ½ the array length located at depths >5 m most likely cannot be resolved accurately by using MASW, even when the anomalies are relatively thick (>2 m) and the impedance contrasts are notably high (>2).
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IFCEE 2021
Pages: 360 - 371
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© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Published online: May 6, 2021
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