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

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.71-83
• /
• 2007

Liquefaction resistance depends strongly upon the degree of saturation, which is expressed in terms of the pore pressure coefficient, B. The B-value has been widely used to quantify the state of saturation of laboratory samples. However, it is practically impossible to determine in situ state of saturation by using the B-value. So, P-wave velocity can be alternatively used as a convenient index for evaluating the in situ state of saturation. In this paper, the Stokoe type torsional shear (TS) testing system was modified to saturate the specimen, with which it is also possible to measure P ($V_p$), S-wave velocity ($V_s$) and the excess pore water pressure buildup In order to examine the effect of B-value for nearly saturated sands. A series of the tests were carried out at 3 relative densities (40%, 50% and 75%) and various B-values using Toyoura sand. Based on the test results, the variations of $V_p\;and\;V_s$ with B-value were analyzed and compared with a existing theoretically derived formula. The normalized pore water pressure, $du/{\sigma}{_0}'$ and cyclic threshold shear strain, ${\gamma}^c_{th}$ with B-value were also analyzed. Additionally the test results related to pore water pressure were analyzed by $V_p$ to apply to the field seismic analysis.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.273-281
• /
• 2014

In most current seismic design codes, design earthquake ground motions are defined by a reference spectrum, based on bedrock and site amplification factors that quantify the geotechnical dynamic conditions. Earthquake engineering bedrock is the fundamental geotechnical formation where the seismic waves are attenuated without amplification. To better define bedrock in an earthquake engineering context, shear wave velocity ($V_S$ ) data obtained from in-situ seismic tests were examined for several rock strata in Korea; these data were categorized by borehole drilling investigations. The $V_S$ values for most soft rock data in Korea are > 750 m/s, which is the threshold $V_S$ value for identifying engineering bedrock from a strong motion station. Conversely, VS values are < 750 m/s for 60% of $V_S$ data in weathered rock in Korea. Thus, the soft (or harder) rock strata below the weathered rock layer in Korea can be regarded as earthquake engineering bedrock.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.38 no.8
• /
• pp.17-27
• /
• 2022

To characterize the dynamic properties of Gimhae Plains sediments, we calculated natural frequencies using microtremor horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios and derived shear wave velocity profiles by inversion of Rayleigh-wave dispersion curves obtained by the high frequency-wavenumber and modified spatial autocorrelation methods. Our results suggest that in this region, strong amplification of ground motion is expected in the vibration frequency (f ≥ 1 Hz). Additionally, obtained velocity profiles show that shear wave velocities are ~200 and 400 m/s for the shallow marine and old fluvial sediments, respectively. Bedrock is possibly encountered at depths of 60-100 m at most sites. We developed a simplified shear wave velocity model of shallow sediments based on the obtained profiles. Our results suggest that a large area in the Gimhae Plains could be categorized as an S6 site based on the Korean seismic design code (KDS 17 10 00).

• Journal of applied mathematics & informatics
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.105-121
• /
• 2024

We consider incompressible, inviscid, stratified shear flows in β plane. First, we obtained an unbounded instability region intersect with semi-ellipse region. Second, we obtained a bounded instability regions depending on Coriolis, stratification parameters and basic velocity profile. Third, we obtained a criterion for wave stability. This has been illustrated with standard examples. Also, we obtained upper bound for growth rate.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2014

To reveal and classify site characteristics in densely populated areas in Chuncheon, Korea, Rayleigh-waves were recorded at 50 sites including four sites in the forest area using four 1-Hz velocity sensors and 24 4.5-Hz vertical geophones during the period of January 2011 to May 2013. Dispersion curves of the Rayleigh waves obtained by the extended spatial autocorrelation method were inverted to derive shear-wave velocity ($v_s$) models comprising 40 horizontal layers of 1-m thickness. Depths to weathered rocks ($D_b$), shear wave velocities of these basement rocks ($v_s^b$), average velocities of the overburden layer ($\bar{v}_s^s$), and the average velocity to a depth of 30 m ($v_s30$), were then derived from those models. The estimated values of $D_b$, $v_s^b$, $\bar{v}_s^s$, and $v_s30$ for 46 sites at lower altitudes were in the ranges of 5 to 29 m, 404 to 561 m/s, 208 to 375 ms/s, and 226 to 583 m/s, respectively. According to the Korean building code for seismic design, the estimated $v_s30$ indicates that the lower altitude areas in Chuncheon are classified as $S_C$ (very dense soil and soft rock) or $S_D$ (stiff soil). To determine adequate proxies for $v_s30$, we compared the computed values with land cover, lithology, topographic slope, and surface elevation at each of the measurement sites. Due to a weak correlation (r = 0.41) between $v_s30$ and elevation, the best proxy of them, applications of this proxy to Chuncheon of a relatively small area seem to be limited.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.65-77
• /
• 2007

Site response analyses were performed based on equivalent linear technique using shear wave velocity profiles of 162 sites collected around the Korean peninsula. The site characteristics, particularly the shear wave velocities and the depth to the bedrock, are compared to those in the western United States. The results show that the site-response coefficients based on the mean shear velocity of the top 30m ($V_{S30}$) suggested in the current code underestimates the motion in short-period ranges and overestimates the motion in mid-period ranges. The current Korean code based on UBC is required to be modified considering site characteristics in Korea for the reliable estimation of site amplification. From the results of numerical estimations, new regression curves were derived between site coefficients ($F_{a}\;and\;F_{v}$) and the fundamental site periods, and site coefficients were grouped based on site periods with reasonable standard deviations compared to site classification based on $V_{S30}$. Finally, new site classification system and modification of design response spectra are recommended considering geotechnical characteristics in Korea.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
• /
• 2005.10a
• /
• pp.154-162
• /
• 2005

In this paper, site response analyses were performed based on equivalent linear technique using the shear wave velocity profiles of 162 sites collected around the Korean peninsula. The site characteristics, particularly the shear wave velocities and the depth to the bedrock, are compared to those in the western United States. The results show that the site-response coefficients based on the mean shear velocity of the top 30m ($V_{S30}$) suggested in the current code underestimates the motion in short-period ranges and overestimates the motion in mid-period ranges. Also the current Korean code based on UBC is required to be modified considering site characteristics in Korea for the reliable estimation of site amplification. From the results of numerical estimations, new regression curves were derived between site coefficients ($F_a$ and $F_v$) and the fundamental site periods, and site coefficients were grouped based on site periods in the regions of shallow bedrock. The standard deviations of the proposed method was reasonable compared to site classification based on $V_{S30}$. Finally, new site classification system is recommended based on site periods for regions of shallow bedrock depth in Korea.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.28 no.1C
• /
• pp.63-74
• /
• 2008

Site response analyses were performed based on equivalent linear technique using the local geologic and dynamic site characteristics, which include soil profiles, shear wave velocity profiles and depth to bedrock for 125 sites collected in Korean Peninsula. From the results of site response analyses, 2-parameters site classification system based on the combination of mean shear wave velocity of soil and depth to bedrock was newly recommended for regions of shallow bedrock depth in Korea. First, as the borders of bedrock depth (H) for site classification were determined as 10m and 20m, the soil sites were divided into 3 classes as $H_1$, $H_2$ and $H_3$ sites. And then, the 3 site classes were subdivided into 7 classes based on the mean shear wave velocity of soil ($V_{s,soil}$). The feasibility of new site classification system was verified and the representative site coefficients ($F_a$ and $F_v$) and design response spectrum were suggested by analyzing uniform trend and dispersion of site coefficients for each site class. The suggested site coefficients and the regression curves present the nonlinear characteristics of soils according to the change of rock outcrop acceleration with uniform trend effectively. From the comparison between the mean values of response spectrum which was acquired from the site response analysis and the suggested design response spectrum, there was a little difference in some of site classes and it was verified to adjust the integration interval to make it more suitable for the site condition in Korea.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
• /
• 2008.03a
• /
• pp.7-13
• /
• 2008

To obtain a shear-wave velocity profile in geotechnical practice, various seismic investigation methods which have their own strength and weakness are being frequently used. Generally, geotechnical site have lateral variation of the properties, so it is needed to determine 2-dimensional shear wave velocity imaging of the site. In this study, harmonic wavelet analysis of wave (HWAW) method is applied to determination of 2-D $V_s$ imaging. HWAW method which is based on time-frequency analysis using harmonic wavelet transform have been developed to determine phase and group velocities of waves. HWAW method uses the signal portion of the maximum local signal/noise ratio to evaluate the phase velocity to minimize the effects of noise. HWAW method determine detailed local $V_s$ profile because one experimental setup which consists of one pair of receivers with spacing of 1~3m is used to determine the dispersion curve of the whole depth. So, 2-D Vs imaging with relatively high resolution can be determined through a series of HWAW test. In order to estimate the applicability of HWAW method, field tests were performed in 4 sites. Through field applications and comparison with other test results, the good accuracy and applicability of the proposed method were verified.