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Deep cavity detection using propagation of seismic waves in homogenous half-space and layered soil media

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Abstract

Understanding of subsurface anomalies has always been of interest to the geotechnical and geological engineers. Identification of dimensions and the location of these anomalies are still controversial at deeper depths due to a reduction in the resolution and the accuracy of recorded data. In this paper, the propagation mechanisms of the longitudinal (P), Rayleigh (R) and shear (S) waves are compared to investigate the ability of P waves in cavity detection in half-space and layered soil media. The results obtained from the analysis of the propagated P waves from the cavity show that the location of the cavity can be revealed in homogeneous half-space media. Hence, filtering methods and large amplitude clipping of the direct P and R waves are used to detect diffracted waves and provide a more precise illustration of propagated waves, especially in 3D view. The diffracted waves from the cavity appear as a symmetrical arc in the wave-field in which the peak point indicates the location of the cavity. However, the shape (slope) of the three curved paths corresponding to the diffracted waves from the boundary between two layers is not symmetric and gradually turns to a linear form as the distance increases. Furthermore, it is difficult to detect deep cavity using Rayleigh waves in layered soil media. For this purpose, seismic sources with low frequencies or passive methods should be used.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran

    Sohrab Mirassi

  2. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Shiraz University of Technology, Shiraz, Iran

    Hossein Rahnema

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  1. Sohrab Mirassi
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  2. Hossein Rahnema
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Correspondence to Sohrab Mirassi.

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Mirassi, S., Rahnema, H. Deep cavity detection using propagation of seismic waves in homogenous half-space and layered soil media. Asian J Civ Eng 21, 1431–1441 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42107-020-00288-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42107-020-00288-2

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