INTERBOREHOLE ACOUSTIC MEASUREMENTS IN SITE INVESTIGATION

Interborehole acoustic measurements are made by transmitting a pulse of sound energy from one borehole to another. Analysis of the recorded signals can provide useful information on ground conditions between and beneath the boreholes. This includes the location of boundaries between different rock and soil types, and an assessment of geotechnical properties in certain cases. A sparker source of energy has been developed for use in boreholes, giving a repetitive pulse shape. The received signal may contain direct, refracted and reflected arrivals, which can be timed. These times are converted to apparent velocities and a vertical scan of two boreholes presented as an apparent velocity versus depth curve. Two case histories from the Dinorwic Hydro-Electric Scheme in North Wales and from Whatley Quarry near Frome in Somerset, illustrate the nature of the interpretation process, and the quality and distribution of the additional geological data that can be achieved. Interborehole scanning has certain advantages over conventional surface seismic refraction; for example, in the detection of low velocity layers at depth. It does of course have its limitations, in the theoretical, interpretational and the practical senses. With these limitations minimized, interborehole acoustic measurements can be a very useful addition to site investigation.(a) /TRRL/

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1764345
• Corporate Authors:

  American Right of Way Association

  3727 West 6th Street, Suite 504
  Los Angeles, CA  United States  90020
• Authors:
  • GRAINGER, P
  • McCann, D
• Publication Date: 1977

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 241-255
• Serial:
  • Right of Way
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: International Right of Way Association
  • ISSN: 0035-5275

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acoustic measuring instruments; Acoustics; Audible warning devices; Boreholes; Conferences; Geotechnical engineering; Location; Measurement; Pavement layers; Rocks; Signals; Soils; Sound; Sound; Speed
• Uncontrolled Terms: Boundaries; Cavities; Site investigation
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Old TRIS Terms: Acoustic measurement; Types
• ITRD Terms: 585: Aural signal; 5711: Bore hole; 5738: Cavity; 8525: Conference; 2952: Layer; 9061: Location; 6136: Measurement; 4154: Rock; 5722: Site investigation; 4156: Soil; 6748: Sound; 5408: Speed; 8119: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; I41: General Soil Surveys;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00172536
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 28 1978 12:00AM