DETERMINATION OF IN SITU SHEAR WAVE VELOCITIES FROM SPECTRAL ANALYSIS OF SURFACE WAVES

A method for determining elastic moduli at soil and pavement sites was proposed and tested. Surface receivers were utilized to evaluate the Rayleigh wave motion created by a vertical, impulsive source that could excite a wide range of frequencies with a single impact. Analysis was facilitated by using a portable spectral analyzer to study the magnitude and phase of the frequency content of the recorded wave pulse. Results from field testing at two flexible pavement sites and two soil sites indicate that the spectral analysis of surface waves provides an accurate estimation of the velocity (and hence modulus) profile at a site. Moduli calculated from wave propagation velocities were generally comparable to moduli calculated by deflection measurements from Dynaflect testing. (FHWA)

• Corporate Authors:

  University of Texas, Austin

  Center for Transportation Research, 3208 Red River Street
  Austin, TX  United States  78705

  Texas State Department of Highways & Public Transp

  P.O. Box 5051
  Austin, TX  United States  78763

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Heisey, J S
  • Stokoe, K H
  • Hudson, W R
  • Meyer, A H
• Publication Date: 1982-12

Media Info

• Pagination: 292 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Deflection tests; Dynaflect; Field tests; Modulus of elasticity; Rayleigh waves; S waves; Spectrum analysis; Wave motion
• Candidate Terms: Spectral analysis of surface waves
• Uncontrolled Terms: Wave velocity
• Old TRIS Terms: Insitu methods
• Subject Areas: Highways; Pavements; I23: Properties of Road Surfaces;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00372390
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/TX-82/34+256-2 Intrm Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: Res Stdy 3-8-80-256
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jun 30 1983 12:00AM