MASW FOR QUANTIFYING CHANGE IN SHEAR WAVE VELOCITY AFTER DEEP DYNAMIC COMPACTION AT A SOIL SITE

Two multichannel analysis of surface wave (MASW) surveys were conducted over a soil site in Tacoma Water's Green River Facility, Washington, where construction of a chemical treatment facility had been planned. The purpose of the surveys was to compare soil stiffness characterized by shear-velocity (Vs) distribution before and after Deep Dynamic Compaction (DDC) operation that was designed to improve the soil stiffness. Site soil consisted of very heterogeneous gravel and cobbles in a sand-and-silt matrix. Results from each survey are represented by two 2-D Vs maps delineating Vs variation of soil below the surveyed lines. One map was constructed from those dispersion curves that were analyzed with a significant amount of subjective judgment involved, whereas the other map was constructed from those dispersion curves analyzed with as much objective information as possible. Comparison of 2-D Vs maps indicates that Vs actually decreased after the DDC operations, possibly due to the loss (or reduction) of cohesive bonding between soil particles caused by the compaction operations.