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Characterizing the Effects of Survey Parameters on Experimental Love Wave Multichannel Analysis of Surface Wave (MASW) Data

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Abstract

Rayleigh waves employed in engineering geophysical applications are typically generated by vertical strikes on a metallic plate that serves as a coupler between an active input source (e.g., a sledgehammer) and the ground surface. Seismic surface waves can also be generated with horizontal impacts (i.e., Love waves) using specialized coupling plates. Survey design, including the source characteristics and data acquisition parameters, can influence the acquired signals and the information derived from their analysis. Despite a growing body of research on Love wave testing, much of the basic information regarding optimal Love wave field data acquisition including source effects, near-field limitations, and receiver spacing remains unquantified. The objective of this study was to improve understanding of Love survey parameters and their effect on resolution. Rayleigh and Love waveforms were collected with multiple active seismic sources at three sites and a systematic comparison was made between the two types of waves. Also, seismic wave propagation was simulated using the code SPECFEM2D to further investigate their differences. The results revealed essential information about the role of different source and survey parameters on surface wave data. For example, the minimum source offset to avoid near-field effects was comparable for Rayleigh and Love waves (0.3–0.4 of the maximum wavelength). At closer source offset locations, Rayleigh waves were more affected by near-field effects and showed an additional 10% underestimation of phase velocities. The results from this case study provide new insights about survey design and its effects on surface wave testing.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Temple researchers Dr. Alireza Kordjazi, Philip Asabere, and Michael Senior for their assistance during field testing. We would also like to thank Dr. Laura Toran for her input regarding the location of the monitoring wells at the Temple University Ambler locations. GISCO provided the ESS Mini AWD source used in this study and their support for our research team is greatly appreciated. We would finally like to thank Dr. Muhannad T. Suleiman for logistical support at the Lehigh Mountaintop Campus.

Funding

This work was financially supported by the United States Geological Survey (USGS Award No. G15AP00024).

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  1. Vibra-Tech Engineers, Hazleton, PA, USA

    Siavash Mahvelati

  2. Civil and Environmental Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Joseph T. Coe

  3. Earth and Environmental Science, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Jonathan E. Nyquist

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All authors contributed to the study. The first draft of the manuscript was written by the lead author and all co-authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Siavash Mahvelati: formerly PhD candidate at Temple University.

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Mahvelati, S., Coe, J.T. & Nyquist, J.E. Characterizing the Effects of Survey Parameters on Experimental Love Wave Multichannel Analysis of Surface Wave (MASW) Data. Pure Appl. Geophys. 178, 2933–2952 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-021-02790-3

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