J. Ind.

Srinivas
G.S. Geophys. Union ( May 2018 )
et al.
v.22, no.3, pp: 286-291

Application of Shallow Seismic Studies for Civil Engineering

Applications: A case study from Chennai city, Tamilnadu
G.S. Srinivas, P.Shiva Shankar, K. Satish Kumar*, S.Trupti, P.Pavan Kishore,
K.N.S.S.S.Srinivas and T. Seshunarayana
CSIR-NGRI, Uppal Road, Hyderabad-500007, India.
*Corresponding Author: [email protected]

Abstract
Shear wave (VS) and P-wave (VP) velocities were estimated for the evaluation of the sub-surface structure
along four profiles at CSIR-SERC Campus in Chennai city to aid in the structural design for a proposed
high rise building. These velocities are essential parameters for determining the dynamic properties of soil
in the shallow subsurface. Dynamic properties, thickness of soil, depth to basement and the associated
in-homogeneities such as fractures, joints, voids and shear zones, play a very important role in design and
construction of civil structures. Multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) and refraction methods
were used for the estimation of VS and VP respectively to decipher the subsurface structure in detail. From
the Seismic velocity-depth sections, the near surface distribution of rocks, soils and their physical properties
were determined to characterize the site conditions. The results indicate a three layered structure with
P-wave velocities of 400-500 m/s, 2700-3100 m/s and 5300-5500 m/s and S-wave velocities of >200 m/s,
200 to 300 m/s and >400 m/s up to a depth of 30 m. The obtained results are well correlating with the
available borehole lithological data. These results are helpful in civil engineering applications in estimation
of elastic properties, depth to bedrock and useful in planning of high rise structures.

Key words: Shear wave velocity, P wave velocity, bedrock, MASW and Structures.

INTRODUCTION loose material, such as sand, top soil, gravel, or clay. It

is very much essential to identify the bedrock depth, in
Several geophysical methods have been suggested for shallow order to estimate the impact of local site conditions in the
near-surface characterization and in-situ measurement of event of an earthquake. In general, the soil cover over the
P- and S- wave velocities using different configurations, bedrock may attenuate or amplify the earthquake motion
processing techniques and inversion algorithms. The depending upon geotechnical characteristics, their depth
frequently used techniques are seismic refraction, spectral and composition of the soil. Usually the younger soft soil
analysis of surface waves (SASW) and multichannel tends to amplify the ground motion as compared to the
analysis of surface waves (MASW). MASW is a non- older, more competent soils or bedrock. The P wave Seismic
destructive and economical geophysical method, mostly refraction method is used to decipher the structure of the
used in geotechnical engineering for the measurement underlying bedrock. In refraction, seismic wave velocity is
of shear wave velocity, evaluation of dynamic properties, computed based on the first arrival times. These velocities
subsurface structure and related studies. (Park et al., can assist in the interpretation of geological layers as well as
1998,1999; Xia et al., 1999, 2000, 2002; Miller et al., estimation of bed rock. Seismic refraction is a quantitative
1999; Kanli et al., 2006). technique to determine the bedrock depth and lithological
Damage due to seismic waves depends on local ground characteristics. MASW is very effective in delineation of
conditions/soil type and its thickness apart from the type of subsurface features, any stratigraphic changes as well as
constructions. The soft deposits (clay and sands along the the top rock and the associated features. In the present
coast and rivers) generally amplify ground motion thereby study, seismic refraction and MASW methods are used
increasing the damage during an earthquake. Hence, the for the identification of bedrock depth and characterize
geotechnical characteristics of (VP and VS of soils, rocks the subsurface.
and pavement) shallow material and its impact on seismic
wave propagation are of great importance in groundwater, GEOLOGY OF THE AREA
geo technical engineering, seismic hazard assessment
and microzonation studies. The most challenging part of The study area falls between 12° 59’ 12.12’’N to 12° 59’
these investigations is to collect the data needed with the 13.37’’N latitude and 80° 14’ 44.24’’N to 80° 14’ 46.18’’N
minimum expenditure and time (Oyedele et al., 2012). longitude along the SE coast of India and in the NE corner
The primary objective of this study is the identification of Tamil Nadu. The sea coast is flat and comprises of sandy
of bedrock depth, which is the solid rock that lies below structures for about one kilometre from the shore. Many

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 Application of Shallow Seismic Studies for Civil Engineering Applications:
A case study from Chennai city, Tamilnadu

parts of the city in the east and southern regions comprise muting procedure (iii) generation of dispersive curve from
of shallow bedrock (which is crystalline in nature) while filtered data (iv) extraction of dispersive curve (vii) Inversion
some other areas towards west and north have Gondwana of each dispersion curve for 1D shear wave velocity and
deposits below the alluvium (Ballukraya and Ravi, 1994). finally staking of each 1D shear wave velocity curves for
Most of the area is covered by Pleistocene/Recent alluvium, 2D shear wave velocity with depth.
which has been deposited by the two rivers in the area,
Coovum and Adyar. The alluvium mostly comprises of clay, RESULTS
sand, sandy clay and boulder/gravel zones occasionally. In
general, sand is found along the river banks and coasts. The obtained P- and S- wave velocities with depth of four
The southern part of the study area has occurrences of profiles are presented in Figure 1 to 4. P- and S- wave velocity
Igneous / metamorphic rocks. The eastern and northern depth sections of profile 1 in E-W direction shown in Figure
parts of the study area have marine sediments comprising 1. The P-wave velocity depth section of profile 1 shows
of clay-silt sands and charnockites. The western part of the the three (Figure 1a) different velocity layers. The average
area is seen to be having alluvium and sedimentary rocks, thickness of first layer is 3 m with a velocity of 500 m/s,
along with a thin layer of laterite at some locations. Small the second layer is spreading between 3 m to 11 m with a
boulders and rounded pebbles are seen at several locations velocity of 2700 m/s and the third layer velocity is 5400 m/s.
at different depths. Thus, in general, It is observed that, It is also inferred from that the shear wave velocity depth
the eastern side of the coastal zone is predominantly sandy, section (Figure 1b), that the thickness of top layer is around
while the north western side is predominantly clayey in 3 m with a velocity of < 200 m/s, depth to the second layer
nature (Boominathan et al., 2008). is 3 m with a velocity of 200 m/s to 500 m/s and depth to
the third layer is 12 m with a velocity of >500 m/s.
DATA ACQUISITION AND PROCESSING It is observed from the P- and S- wave velocity depth
sections of profile 1, top soil is present up to a depth of
Seismic refraction survey and MASW tests were conducted 3 m below that weathered charnockite is presented up
along four profiles. Two profiles (No-1 & 2) were laid to the depth of 12 m. Moderately weathered charnockite
in “E-W” another two profiles (No-3 & 4) were laid in is extended up to the depth of 30 m. Further, fractured/
“S-N” direction. The data was acquired using 24-channel moderately the weathered charnockite is also seen (Figure
seismograph with the following acquisition parameters: 1b) from the shear wave velocity section.
For refraction survey, number 4.5 Hz geophones; 24; Figure 2 shows the P- and S- wave velocity depth
Geophone interval: 5m; spread length:115m; number of sections of profile 2 in E-W direction. The P-wave velocity
shots:5 (all in line shots, 2 far offset shots at 30m on either depth section of profile 2 is also showing the three layers
side, 2 near offset shots at 5m on either side and 1 shot at (Figure 2a). The average thickness of first layer is around 4
the middle of the spread): Sampling interval: 0.25m sec; m with a velocity of 500 m/s, the second layer is between
Record length: 0.5sec. 4 m to 12 m with a velocity of 3100 m/s and the third
The data processing involves picking the first arrival layer velocity is 5500 m/s. It is also inferred from the
times from the time traces recorded from all shot points. shear wave velocity depth section (Figure 2b), that the
From these arrival times the Time-Distance Curve is thickness of top layer is around 5 m with a velocity of <
generated for each profile. The Time-Term inversion 200 m/s, depth to the second layer is 5 m and extending
method, a standard inversion iterative method is a linear up to the depth of 20 m with a velocity of 200 m/s to
Least-Squares approach to determine the best discrete- 500 m/s and third layer is extended up the depth of 30
layer solution to the data set (Bath, 1978). The time term m with a velocity of >500 m/s, which may be moderately
inversion technique is applied to the travel time to estimate weathered charnockite.
the velocities of different layers and the corresponding It is observed from the P- and S- wave velocity depth
depths of the layers. It is a simple travel-time inversion sections of profile 2, top soil is observed up to the depth
enveloped by Scheidegger and Willmore (1957) and has of 4 m below that weathered charnockite is seen up to the
been used widely for seismic refraction studies in the depth of 20 m. It is observed from the shear wave velocity
1960–70s (Willmore and Bancroft, 1960; Berry and West, section moderately/fractured weathered charnockite is
1966; Meru, 1966; Yoshii and Asano, 1972). present in some parts up to the depth of 30 m.
MASW data was processing using “SurSeis software It is inferred from the E-W profiles that the top
package” (Kanas Geological Society Make). The data has soil, weathered charnockite and fractured/moderately
been subjected to following standard processing steps: (i) charnockite extended up to the depth of 30 m sequentially.
conversion of the field (SEG-2) data of Kansas Geological Further fractured/moderately weathered charnockite is seen
Society data format (ii) removal of bad traces through in some part of the profiles.

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Figure 1. shows a) P-wave velocity depth section of profile 1, b) Shear wave velocity depth section of profile 1.

Figure 2. shows a) P-wave velocity depth section of profile 2, b) Shear wave velocity depth section of profile 2.

Figure 3 shows the P- and S- wave velocity depth thickness of top layer is around 3 m with a velocity of <
sections of profile 3 in N-S direction. The P-wave velocity 200 m/s, depth to the second layer is 3 m and extending
depth section of profile 2 is also showing the three layers up to the depth of 18 m with a velocity of 200 m/s to 500
(Figure 3a). The average thickness of first layer is around m/s and third layer is extended up the depth of 30 m with
3 m with a velocity of 400 m/s, the second layer is seen a velocity of >500 m/s.
between 4 m to 11 m with a velocity of 2800 m/s and is It is observed from the P- and S- wave velocity depth
third layer velocity is 5500 m/s. It is also inferred from the sections of profile 3, top soil is present at up to the depth
shear wave velocity depth section (Figure 3b), the average of 3 m below that weathered charnockite is presented

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 Application of Shallow Seismic Studies for Civil Engineering Applications:
A case study from Chennai city, Tamilnadu

Figure 3. shows a) P-wave velocity depth section of profile 3, b) Shear wave velocity depth section of profile 3.

Figure 4. shows a) P-wave velocity depth section of profile 4, b) Shear wave velocity depth section of profile 4.

up to the depth of 18 m. The depth to the fractured/ 4a). The average thickness of first layer is around 3 m with
moderately weathered charnockite is 18 m. Further, a a velocity of 500 m/s, the second layer is present between
patch of fractured/moderately weathered charnockite is 4 m to 12 m with a velocity of 3000 m/s and depth to the
seen in the central portion of the profile at a depth of 5 bottom most layer is around 12 m with a velocity of 5300
m (Figure 3b). m/s. It is also inferred from the shear wave velocity depth
Figure 4 shows the P- and S- wave velocity depth section (Figure 4b), the average thickness of top layer is
sections of profile 4 in N-S direction. The P-wave velocity around 3 m with a velocity of < 200 m/s, depth to the
depth section of profile 4 shows the three layers (Figure second layer is 5 m and extending up to the depth of

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15 m with a velocity of 200 m/s to 500 m/s and third course of work. In the course of the project formulation,
layer with a velocity of >500 m/s. execution and for writing this paper, various persons of the
It is seen from the P- and S- wave velocity depth Engineering Geophysics Division of NGRI unreservedly
sections of profile 4, top soil is presented at up to the rendered their help, which is gratefully acknowledged. The
depth of 5 m below that weathered charnockite is presented authors gratefully thank Dr.P.R.Reddy for precise review of
up to the depth of 15 m. The depth to the fractured/ the manuscript and final editing.
moderately weathered charnockite is 15 m. Further, a patch This study has been supported by CSIR-NGRI Fast
of fractured/moderately weathered charnockite is seen in Track Translationary (FTT) Project. S.Trupti acknowledges
the central portion of the profile at a depth of 5 m and CSIR for providing Research Associate (RA).
extended up the depth of 30 m (Figure 4b).
It is inferred from the N-S profiles of the study area, Compliance with Ethical Standards
top soil, weathered charnockite and fractured/moderately
weathered charnockite extended up to the depth of 30 m The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest
sequentially. Further weathered charnockite is presented in and adhere to copyright norms.
central part of the profiles in shallow levels.
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Received on: 9.2.18; Revised on: 20.2.18; Accepted on: 22.2.18

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