• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.34-40
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• 2005

We have used the microtremor method, with arrays of up to 96 m diameter, to carry out non-invasive estimation of shear-wave velocity profiles to a depth of 30 to 50 m in unconsolidated Quaternary Yarra Delta sediments. Two silt units (Coode Island Silt, and Fishermans Bend Silt) dominate our interpretation; the method yields shear velocities for these units with precision of $5\%$, and differentiates between the former, softer unit ($V_s$=130 m/sec) and the latter, firmer unit ($V_s$=235 m/sec). Below these silts, the method resolves a firm unit correlating with known gravels ($V_s$ 500 to 650 m/sec). Using surface traverses with the single-station H/V spectral ratio method, we show that the variation in thickness of the softer silt can be mapped rapidly but only qualitatively. The complexity of the geological section requires that array methods be used when quantitative shear-wave velocity profiles are desired.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.555-560
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• 2019

One-dimensional shear wave velocity structure of North Korea is constrained using short (2-sec) to long period (30-sec) Rayleigh waves generated from four seismic events in China. Rayleigh waves are well recorded at the five broadband seismic stations (BRD, SNU, CHNB, YKB, KSA) which are located near to the border between North and South Korea. Group velocities of fundamental-mode Rayleigh waves are estimated with the Multiple Filter Analysis and refined by using the Phase Matched Filter. Average group velocity dispersion curve ranging from 2.9 to 3.2 km/s, is inverted to constrain the shear wave velocity structures. Relatively low group velocity dispersion curves along the path between the events to BRD at period from 4 to 6 seconds may correspond to the sedimentary sequence of the West Korea Bay Basin (WKBB) in the Yellow Sea. The low velocity zone in deep layers (14-20 km) may be related to the deep sedimentary structure in Pyongnam basin. The fast shear wave velocity structure from the surface to the depth of 14 km is consistent with the existence of metamorphic rocks and igneous bodies in Nangrim massif and Pyongnam basin.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.25 no.2E
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• pp.49-55
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• 2006

Compressional wave velocity (Vp), shear wave velocity (Vs), elastic and physical properties, and electrical resistivity for two core sediments obtained from Southeastern Yellow Sea Mud (SEYSM) were measured and computed. The sediments consist of homogeneous mud (mostly silt and clay) with shells and shell fragments. As a result, the mean grain size is uniform ($7.5-8.5{\Phi}$ throughout the core sediments. However, physical properties such as wet bulk density and porosity show slightly increasing and decreasing patterns with depth, compared to the mean grain size. The compressional (about 1475 m/s in average) and shear wave (about 60 m/s in average) velocities with depth accurately reflect the pattern of wet bulk density and porosity. Electrical resistivity is more closely correlated with compressional wave velocity than physical properties. The computed Vp/Vs and Poisson's ratios are relatively higher (more than 10) and lower (approximately 0.002) than Hamilton's (1979) data, respectively, suggesting the typical characteristics of soft and fully water-saturated marine sediments. Thus, the Vp/Vs ratio in soft and unconsolidated sediments is not likely sufficient to examine lithology and sediment properties. Relationships between the elastic constant and physical properties are correlated well. The elastic constants (Poisson's ratio, bulk modulus, shear modulus) given in this paper can be used to characterize soft marine sediments saturated with seawater.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.549-557
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• 2003

Surface wave exploration method has many advantages over other conventional exploration methods. Only limited accumulation of the study results has been made due to the recent development of the method. In this study the characteristics of the phase dispersion curves of four sites with different geo-technical properties have been identified. A generalized inversion method was used to obtain the shear wave velocity profiles of the study areas. The shear wave velocity profiles were compared with the columnar sections of the boreholes at the sites. This study shows that the rapid changes in the shear wave velocities are consistent with the changes in the sedimentary or lithologic faces found in the borehole measurements. This implicates that the surface wave exploration method could be used to identify changes in the physical properties of sediments or rocks.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.507-513
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• 2002

To delineate the relationship between dynamic elastic modulus and lithologies, suspension PS logging was applied to Yuseong granite, Paldang banded gneiss, and Sabuk sedimentary rock. P and S wave velocities were also measured for these lithologies. In addition, uniaxial strength and Poisson’s ratio were measured in a laboratory for Yuseong granite and Paldang banded gneiss. In laboratory measurements, P and S wave velocities in Paldang banded gneiss were higher than those in Yuseong granite whereas Poisson’s ratio in Paldang banded gneiss was lower than that in Yuseong granite. This implies that P and S wave velocities correlate reversely with Poisson’s ratio. The dynamic Young modulus obtained from suspension PS logging was high compared to the dynamic bulk modulus and the dynamic shear modulus.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.99-110
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• 2018

In this paper, a new size-dependent quasi-3D plate theory is presented for wave dispersion analysis of functionally graded nanoplates while resting on an elastic foundation and under the hygrothermaal environment. This quasi-3D plate theory considers both thickness stretching influences and shear deformation with the variations of displacements in the thickness direction as a parabolic function. Moreover, the stress-free boundary conditions on both sides of the plate are satisfied without using a shear correction factor. This theory includes five independent unknowns with results in only five governing equations. Size effects are obtained via a higher-order nonlocal strain gradient theory of elasticity. A variational approach is adopted to owning the governing equations employing Hamilton's principle. Solving analytically via Fourier series, these equations gives wave frequencies and phase velocities as a function of wave numbers. The validity of the present results is examined by comparing them with those of the known data in the literature. Parametric studies are conducted for material composition, size dependency, two parametric elastic foundation, temperature and moisture differences, and wave number. Some conclusions are drawn from the parametric studies with respect to the wave characteristics.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.93-102
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• 2015

The characteristics of frozen soils are one of most important factors for foundation design in cold region. The objective of this study is to evaluate the shear strength and stiffness of frozen soils according to the confining conditions during the freezing and shearing phase. A direct shear box is constructed for the frozen specimens and bender elements are mounted on the wall of the shear box to measure shear wave velocities. Specimens are prepared by mixing sand and silt with a silt fraction of 30% in weight and the degree of saturation of 10%, giving a relative density of 60% for all tests. The temperature of the specimens in the freezer is allowed to fall below -5℃, and then direct shear tests are performed. A series of vertical stresses are applied during the freezing and shearing phase. Shear stress, vertical displacement, and shear wave along the horizontal displacement are measured. Experimental results show that in all the tests, shear strength increases with increasing vertical stress applied during the freezing and shearing phases. The magnitude of the increase in shear strength with increasing vertical stress during shearing under fixed vertical stress in the frozen state is smaller than the magnitude of the increase in vertical stress during freezing and shearing. In addition, the change in shear wave velocities varies with the position of the bender elements. In the case of shear waves passing through the shear plane, the shear wave velocities decrease with increasing horizontal displacement. This study provides an evaluation of the properties of shear strength and stiffness of frozen soils under varied confining condition.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.619-629
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• 2013

The objective of this study is to estimate shear wave velocity of earth dam materials using artificially generated vibration from blasting events and to verify its applicability. In this study, the artificial blasting and vibration monitoring were carried out at the site adjacent to Seongdeok dam, which is the first blasting test for an existing dam in Korea. The vibrations were induced by 4 different types of blasting with various depths of blasting boreholes and explosive charge weights. During the tests, the acceleration time histories were recorded at the bedrock adjacent to the explosion and the crest of the dam. From frequency analyses of acceleration histories measured at the crest, the fundamental frequency of the target dam could be evaluated. Numerical analyses varying shear moduli of earth fill zone were carried out using the acceleration histories measured at the bedrock as input ground motions. From the comparison between the fundamental frequencies calculated by numerical analyses and measured records, the shear wave velocities with depth, which are closely related to shear moduli, could be determined. It is found that the effect of different blasting types on shear wave velocity estimation for the target dam materials is negligible and the shear wave velocity can be consistently evaluated. Furthermore, comparing the shear wave velocity with the previous researchers' empirical relationships, the applicability of suggested method is verified. Therefore, in case that the earthquake record is not available, the shear wave velocity of earth dam materials can be reasonably evaluated if blasting vibration test is allowed at the site adjacent to the dam.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.511-517
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• 2013

The Field Velocity Probe (FVP) has been widely applied to determine the various characteristics of soils. This study seeks to estimate soil consolidation characteristics using an FVP and to increase its application in the field. The specimens were extracted from depths of 3 and 6 m at the study site, an area of soft clay in Incheon. In laboratory testing, the specimens were placed in an improved oedometer cell to measure shear wave velocity, and statistical analysis was performed to compare the results of effective stress and shear wave velocity. FVP enables increased resolution in the field because it measures the shear wave velocity every 20 cm. To estimate the condition of consolidation, we compared the results of shear wave velocities between those obtained in the laboratory and those in the field. The field conditions are used to analyze overconsolidated and normally consolidated soils at depths of 3 and 6 m, respectively. The results show that FVP is a suitable method for estimating the degree of consolidation.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.27-36
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• 2012

The water in surface of the earth is frozen under freezing point. The freezing phenomenon, which causes the volume change of soils, affects on the behavior of soils and causes the significant damage on the geotechnical structures. The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of elastic waves in sand-silt mixtures using small size freezing cells, which reflect the frozen ground condition due to temperature change. Experiments are carried out in a nylon cell designed to freeze soils from top to bottom. Bender elements and piezo disk elements are used as the shear and compressional wave transducers. Three pairs of bender elements and piezo disk elements are placed on three locations along the depth. The specimen, which is prepared by mixing sand and silt, is frozen in the refrigerator. The temperature of soils changes from $20^{\circ}C$ to $-10^{\circ}C$. The velocities, resonant frequencies and amplitudes of the shear and compressional waves are continuously measured. Experimental results show that the shear and compressional wave velocities and resonant frequencies increase dramatically near the freezing points. The amplitudes of shear and compressional waves show the different tendency. The dominant factors that affect on the shear wave velocity change from the effective stress to the ice bonding due to freezing. This study provides basic information about the characteristics of elastic waves due to the soil freezing.