SEISMIC DETECTION OF WATER SATURATION IN UNCONSOLIDATED MATERIAL

A number of authors, such as Domenico (1974), have shown theoretically and experimentally that as an unconsolidated material becomes saturated there is a fairly large change in the velocity of compressional waves while the shear wave velocity remains essentially unchanged. Applegate (1974) and others have suggested that shear waves could be used in the process of detecting the water table. The technique used was to measure compressional velocities with the standard refraction technique; a refracting layer of close to 5000 ft./sec. is a prospective zone for the water table. A shear wave refraction profile is run using the Kobayashi technique. Care should be used to insure that only shear wave velocities are measured. If the prospective zone is the water table then there should be no significant change in the shear refraction velocity at the depth of the prospective zone. The author has used this technique successfully a number of times. In one example there is no change in soil material, and the results were ideal. In another case, there was a change in soil material with depth which caused the results to be less ideal. The technique is highly interpretive, and is not suggested for the novice.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This article is an excerpt from the Proceedings of the Fourteenth Annual Engineering Geology and Soils Engineering Symposium that was sponsored by Idaho Transportation Department, Division of Highways; University of Idaho, Department of Geology and Department of Civil Engineering; Idaho State University, Department of Geology and Department of Engineering; and Boise State University, Department of Geology, and Department of Physical Science and Engineering. This symposium was held at the Rodeway Inn, Boise, Idaho, and was hosted by Boise State University.
• Corporate Authors:

  Idaho Department of Highways

  P.O. Box 7129
  Boise, ID  United States  83707
• Authors:
  • Johnson, W E
• Publication Date: 1976-4-9

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 221-231
• Serial:
  • Engineering Geology & Soils Engineering Symp Proc
  • Publisher: Idaho Department of Highways

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Percent saturation; Refraction; S waves; Unconsolidated soils; Water table; Wave motion
• Uncontrolled Terms: Wave velocity
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00142683
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Feb 1 1977 12:00AM