Field measurements of interface waves and geoacoustic characterization of near surface sediment and soil

There is a need for rapid and nondestructive sensing of near-surface shear properties of the ground and seafloor. Our approach is to measure interface wave dispersion and invert these measurements to extract a shear wave speed profile. Field measurements of interface waves using geophones and accelerometers will be presented. A laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV) will also be incorporated in the suite of sensors for the measurement of wave properties. Data from these sensors will be compared to understand the coupling of the sensors into the soil or sediment and its effect on the measurements. Geoacoustic and geotechnical properties will be estimated using the interface wave data. The uncertainty and resolution of the estimates in different sediment/soil types will be explored. The Interface Wave Testing Facility at the University of Rhode Island will also be used to understand the surface wave propagation characteristics in different type of sediments/soils. [Work supported by Army Research Office and the Off...