Multi-Channel Analysis of Surface Waves: Advanced

Since its first introduction in the late 1990s, the multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) method has been utilized by an increasing number of practitioners for a growing array of geotechnical projects, and further researched by many investigators worldwide. The MASW method provides one of the most critically important geotechnical parameters-stiffness of ground materials. It provides this information in terms of seismic shear-wave velocity (Vs) distribution in both vertical and horizontal directions. From an elastic theory viewpoint, shear wave velocity (Vs) is the most powerful indicator of a material's stiffness.

This course covers the basics of seismic surface waves, data acquisition, data processing and the fundamentals in such a way that participants can, upon its completion, engage in common applications such as seismic site characterization (Vs-30m) and mapping soil/bedrock shear-wave velocity (Vs) cross sections. It will demonstrate how to process surface-wave data, and each participant will be guided step-by-step in processing actual field data sets.

All geotechnical engineers and researchers dealing with stiffness of ground and pavement can benefit from attending this course and learning about this state-of-the-art seismic technique.

The Primary Objectives of the course are:

1. To grasp basic concepts of seismic surface waves,
2. To understand the overall field procedure for optimal data acquisition,
3. To provide first-hand experience in processing field data sets to generate two-dimensional (2-D) shear-wave velocity (V) cross sections as well as 1-D profiles
4. To recognize typical applications of MASW, and
5. To be fully flexible in data acquisition and processing so that one can handle challenging situations more successfully.