Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Estimation of near-surface geotechnical parameters using seismic measurements at the proposed KACST expansion site, Riyadh, KSA

تعيين المدلولات الجيوتقنية للطبقات القريبة من سطح الأرض باستخدام القياسات السيزمية في المنطقة المخصصة لتوسعة مدينة الملك عبد العزيز للعلوم والتقنية , الرياض , المملكة العربية السعودية

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Eight shallow seismic refraction profiles were conducted at the proposed KACST expansion site, northwest of Riyadh, to estimate the near-surface geotechnical parameters for construction purposes. Both compressional (P) and shear (S) waves were acquired, processed, and interpreted using “time-term” technique which is a combination of linear least squares and delay time analysis to invert the first arrivals for a velocity section. The most important geotechnical near-surface parameters such as stress ratio, Poisson’s ratio, material index, concentration index, N value, and foundation material-bearing capacity are calculated. The results of these seismic measurements were compared with the results of borehole report in the project area in terms of number of layers, the lithological content, thicknesses, and N values of rock quality designation. A good matching between the results was observed particularly at the sites of boreholes.

الملخص

تم عمل القياسات السيزمية على امتداد ثمانية خطوط في الموقع المخصص لتوسعة مدينة الملك عبدالعزيز للعلوم والتقنية , شمال غرب مدينة الرياض لتعيين المدلولات الجيوتقنية للطبقات القريبة من سطح الأرضبهدف تقييم الموقع من الناحية الهندسية لغرض الإنشاءات والمباني . تم أنتاج وتسجيل كلاً من الموجات الأولية وموجات القص على امتداد خطوط القياس الثمانية , تحليل البيانات المسجلة تم باستخدام تقنية "Time-term" والتي تعتبر مزيج من كلاً من خوارزمية Linear least squares” " و ” Delay time” لتحويل أزمنة الوصول الأولية لموجات السيزمية المنكسرة إلى مقطع للسرعة . من السرعات تم حساب ابرز المعاملات الجيوتقنية الهامة للموقع والتي تشمل كلاً من معامل الانفعال , معامل بويشن , مؤشر المادة , مؤشر التركيز , قيم " N " بالإضافة إلى قيم قدرة التحمل لطبقة الأساس . تم مقارنة القيم المحسوبة من القياسات السيزمية مع نتائج آبار الاختبار بالمنطقة والتي أظهرت درجة عالية من التطابق بالأخص من ناحية عدد الطبقات وسمكها ونوع النسيج الجيولوجي بالإضافة إلى قيم " N ".

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abd El Rahman M, Abd El Latif T (1990) Geophysical interpretations for shallow engineering site investigations at the area north of Sana’a, Yemen Arab Republic. MERC 4:41–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Abd El Rahman M, Setto I, El-Werr A (1992) Inferring mechanical properties of the foundation materials at the 2nd industrial zone, city, from geophysical measurements. E.G.S. Proceedings of the 10th Annual Meeting, pp 50–61

  • Abd El-Rahman M (1989) Evaluation of the kinetic elastic moduli of the surface materials and application to engineering geologic maps at Maba-Risabah area (Dhamar Province), Northern Yemen. Egypt J Geol 33(1–2):229–250

    Google Scholar 

  • Abd El-Rahman M (1991) The potential of absorption coefficient and seismic quality factor in delineating less sound foundation materials in Jabal Shib Az Sahara area, Northwest of Sanaa, Yemen Arab Republic. Egypt, M. E. R. C. Earth Sci, vol 5. Ain Shams University, pp 181–187

  • Birch F (1966) Handbook of physical constants. Geol Soc Amer Men 97:613

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowels JE (1984) Physical and geotechnical properties of soils. McGraw-Hill, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowles JE (1982) Foundation analysis and design, 2nd edn. McGraw-Hill International Book Company, London, p 587

    Google Scholar 

  • Cordier JE (1984) Velocities in reflection seismology. Reidel Publ. Comp. Holland

  • Davis A, Taylor SD (1979) Dynamic elastic moduli logging of foundation materials. In: Ardus DA (ed) Proceedings of International Conference on Offshore Site Investigation. Graham and Trotman Limited, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Gassman F (1973) Seismische Prospektion. Birkhaeuser, Stuttgart, p 417

    Google Scholar 

  • Green R (1974) The seismic refraction method—a review. Geoexploration 12:259–284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hobson GD (1970) Seismic methods in mining and ground water exploration, mining and ground water geophysics. Geol Surv Canada Econ Geol Report 26:148–176

    Google Scholar 

  • Mooney HM (1976) Handbook of engineering geophysics. Bison Instruments Inc., Minneapolis

    Google Scholar 

  • Musgrave AW (1967) Seismic refraction prospecting. Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Tulsa

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Pakiser LC, Black RA (1957) Exploring for ancient channels with the refraction seismograph. Geophysics 22(1):32–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palmer D (1986) Refraction seismics. Geophysical Press, London

  • Parry RHG (1977) Estimation bearing capacity of sand from SPT values. JGED, ASCE, 103, Gt. 9:1014–1103

  • Redpath BB (1973a) A seismic refraction exploration for engineering site investigations. Technical report E-73-4, US Army engineer waterways experiment station, Vicksburg, MS

  • Redpath BB (1973b) Seismic refraction exploration for engineering site investigations: Technical Report E-73-4, Explosive Research Laboratory, Livermore, CA (NTIS Report AD-768 710)

  • Schmertmann JH (1975) Measurement of in-site shear strength. State of Art paper, 6th PSC, vol 2, pp 57–138

  • Scott JH (1973) Seismic refraction modeling by computer. Geophysics 38(2):271

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheriff RE, Geldart LP (1986) Exploration seismology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, p 316

    Google Scholar 

  • Sjogren B, Ofsthus A, Sandberg J (1979) Seismic classification of rock mass qualities. Geophysical Prospecting 27:10–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Soil and Foundation Co. Ltd. (2007) Geotechnical investigation report for the proposed KACST project

  • Stumpel M, Kahler S, Meissner R, Nikereit B (1984) The use of seismic shear waves and compressional waves for lithological problems of shallow sediments. Geophys Prospect 32:662–675

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tatham RH (1982) Vp/Vs and lithology. Geophysics 47(3):336–344

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Telford WM, Geldert LP, Sherif RE (1997) Applied Geophysics, Cambridge university press, London, p.751

  • Thomsen L (1986) Weak elastic anisotropy. Geophysics 1954–1966

  • Vaslet D, Al-Muallem MS, Maddah SS, Brosse JM, Fourniguet J, Breton JP, Le Nindre YM (1991) Geologic map of the Ar Riyad quadrangle, sheet 241, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (with text): Saudi Arabian Directorate General of Mineral Resources, Jeddah, Geosciences Map, GM-121A

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Hashim Almalki

  2. Geophysics Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

    Abdel-Khalek El-Werr

  3. National research Institute for Astronomy and Geophysics, Helwan, Cairo, Egypt

    Kamal Abdel-Rahman

Authors
  1. Hashim Almalki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Abdel-Khalek El-Werr
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kamal Abdel-Rahman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hashim Almalki.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Almalki, H., El-Werr, AK. & Abdel-Rahman, K. Estimation of near-surface geotechnical parameters using seismic measurements at the proposed KACST expansion site, Riyadh, KSA. Arab J Geosci 4, 1131–1150 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-010-0124-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-010-0124-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation