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Author:
Christopher Phillips
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2006-01-15 |
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As a geophysicist, I am dismayed by the lack of discussion in the geophysics forum.
There have been many advances in geophysics in the last number of years, with advances in equipment, research, and low cost of computing power.
We have conducted various geophysical projects for geotechnical clients, including:
- Investigation of extent of voids beneath concrete slabs
- Concrete integrity testing
- Pile Integrity Testing
- Pavement and Asphalt Thickness (Road GPR)
- Bridge Deck Investigations (Delamination/Deterioration mapping)
- Soil/Rock Stiffness profiling using SASW/MASW, crosshole seismic, VSP, and shear refraction
- Fracture detection and orientation mapping for joint set mapping of proposed open pit mines
This board (geophysics) has been pretty stagnant, with most discussion related to MASW.
I would like to try and open up this discussion forum with increased interest from geotechnical engineers with questions about how geophysics can help them with their specific problems.
There are a number of geophysical methods, including:
- MASW/SASW
- Seismic Methods
- Ground Penetrating Radar
- Electrical Resistiviy Methods
- Electromagnetic Methods
- Magnetic Methods
- Non Destructive Testing Methods
All of which have application to the geotechnical engineer and should be seen as another tool in your toolbox.
Please post in this forum if you have any questions about how geophysics can help with your specific problem, or help better approach a problem you often encounter. Post a problem and some information on the project and let the geophysics community see what we can do to provide you a solution that can help.
Thanks,
Christopher Phillips.
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Follow-up:
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Author:
Brian Williams, P.E., P.G.
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2006-02-14 |
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Christopher:
I also agree with your position. I think one of the fundamental reasons for the lack of geophysical application in geotechnical engineering is that most engineers don't understand what geophysics is (like it's some black box thing) and therefore simply have no trust in the methods or results. From the geophysical side, it hasn't helped having people out there doing MASW or SASW (or shallow refraction, etc.) and those people coming up with off-the-wall results that are presented as valid data when they (the erstwhile geophysicist) doesn't know what a reasonable result should be.
There also seems to be a major disconnect between engineers and geophysicists- the geophysicists know how to measure a lot of different things (like shear wave velocity), but MOST engineers don't know what to do with the data beyond simple reference to something like the IBC charts to pick a site classification. A lot of this has to do with the basic formal education. Few advanced degree programs in the U.S. (elsewhere??) attempt to integrate any discussion of geophysics or geophysical data into engineering analysis, and the result is predictable.
How to fix this? Good question. We can try education. I've given several talks at regional engineering conferences in an attempt to educate people about geophysical applications in geotechnical engineering. Examples of "how I found the abandoned and buried piping at my building site" or "how to get definitive modulus values for use in settlement calculations" seem to get some interest. In many locales, I think it comes down to finding an application where geophysics provides better (and more cost effective) information than conventional testing.
As was discussed in other postings, knowledge of geophysical applications for geotechnical engineering provides a very powerful set of tools that can often provide data and/or interpretations that one simply cannot obtain without geophysical data.
I am open to further discussion through this forum or via my email: bwilliams@ntlengineering.com
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Follow-ups:
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»
Singh, P., 2006-01-15
»
Christopher Phillips, 2006-01-15
»
Vipul Nagar, 2006-01-17
»
Zivko Terzic, 2006-01-22
»
Dr. C. Krishnaiah, 2006-01-27
»
Brian Williams, P.E., P.G., 2006-02-14
»
Matt, 2006-02-16
»
Christopher Phillips, 2006-02-17
»
Derek Irving, 2006-03-09
»
Derek Irving, 2006-03-09
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Subject:
Geophysics for Geotechnical Applications 