U a

Geotechnical Testing Lab

Introduction
Experimental Setup
Data Analysis
Results
Theory

MULTICHANNEL ANALYSIS OF SURFACE WAVES (MASW)

EXPERIMENTAL CONFIGURATION:
The method has two basic modes of surveying
(a) Active MASW
(b) Passive MASW
The depth of investigation achievable via active test is normally in the range of 20-30 m and information of
deeper layers of soil in the range of 100-120 m can be achieved via passive test with the help of these
mentioned below equipments.

Geophones receivers of low frequency in the range of 4.5Hz

DAQ/Seismograph 24 –bit Analog –to-Digital convertor
Spread cable to connect geophones and seismograph
Hammer cable for triggering the impact
Sledge-hammer and striking plate
WinMASW , Analysing & Processing Software
FIG 1- EXPERIMENTING ON THE PAVED ROAD USING METAL PLATES
FIG 2- EXPERIMENTING ON THE SOIL SURFACE USING SPIKES
Methodology:
It is a three-step scheme for its processing.

Data Acquisition : multichannel field records are acquired , which are often called as shot gather or seismic
gather, in conventional exploration.
Data Filtration : Set frequency range of 2 to 50 Hz for 4.5 Hz geophone and filter data using Geo-giga
Software.
Dispersion Analysis: the objective of this analysis is to obtain an accurate dispersion curve. In general,
dispersion curve is a plot between phase velocity of Rayleigh waves and frequency for a particular mode.
Inversion Analysis: it is an iterative approach which uses optimization technique to search for the most
probable earth model and results the final Shear-Wave Velocity Variation with Depth (commonly termed as
1-D Vs profile).
Analysis Methodology: WinMASW Platform have been used for the processing of raw field data.
Interpretation: Overall procedure is to produce multiple 1-D shear velocity profile and combining all we get
2-D shear wave velocity profile. Using 2-D we can interpret soil type, heteroginity , ground anamolies etc.
Report: software generates the report containing the parameters for ground stiffness like –Vs(shear wave),
Vp(phase velocity), poisson’s ratio, Gs(shear modulus) etc.
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