Shear Wave Velocity Measurements [Final Report, Appendices]

Details

• Creators:
  Torgashov, Evgeniy V. ; Anderson, Neil ; Casey, Thomas J
• Corporate Creators:
  SCI Engineering, Inc
• Corporate Contributors:
  Missouri. Department of Transportation. Construction and Materials Division ; United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Active MASW Bridge Design Multichannel Analysis Of Surface Waves Passive MASW Reflection Shear Wave Velocity Refraction Resistivity Method Seismic Prospecting S Waves Velocity
• Publication/ Report Number:
  cmr 25-009
• DOI:
  https://hdl.handle.net/10355/108931
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Edition:
  Final Report (August 2023-June 2025)
• Corporate Publisher:
  Missouri. Department of Transportation
• Abstract:
  The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) commissioned SCI Engineering, Inc. to investigate cost-effective, non-intrusive geophysical methods for determining time-averaged shear wave velocity (Vs) profiles to a depth of 100 feet, based on anticipated updates to AASHTO seismic site classification specifications. Following a comprehensive literature review, eight candidate methods were identified. Of these, four methods—Active Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (Active MASW), Passive Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (Passive MASW), Active Refraction Microtremor (Active ground truth), and Passive Refraction Microtremor (Passive ground truth)—were selected for field testing based on their practicality and effectiveness. Field evaluations were conducted at three sites: the SCI Office in O’Fallon, Illinois; the I-270 Chain of Rocks Bridge; and the MLK Connector in Illinois. The sites were selected based on access, availability of existing ground truth subsurface soil information, as well as representing a variety of subsurface profiles. Various geophone spacings and array configurations were tested. Performance metrics included depth of investigation, ease of deployment, data quality, and interpretability. Results demonstrated that combining Active and Passive MASW methods offered the most reliable and practical solution, providing consistent results, minimal operational complexity, and shared equipment and software requirements. SCI Engineering developed a comprehensive User Manual and conducted field demonstrations to train MoDOT personnel in the acquisition, processing, and interpretation of MASW data. Adoption of these methods will streamline MoDOT’s seismic site classification processes, align practices with forthcoming AASHTO requirements, and enhance MoDOT’s internal technical capacity.
• Content Notes:
  Supplemental Files:
  
  Appendix A: General Guideline for Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) Field Surveying
  
  Appendix B: Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) Manual
  
  
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  TR202403
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:8c75c55857bea3e02faf16182daeadb1e9cea1b3d9845c06267f016e32a25e91ec46369287cd5b940d51b0d6a7e35276cff386bdceed9a77f7a7aa71d0dcffad
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/85328/dot_85328_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 6.98 MB ]