3D Geophysical Soil Profiling System for Supporting Countermeasure Design for Damaged River Embankments

Abstract

Summary For effective design of countermeasures for a damaged or potentially damaged river embankment, we are developing a 3D geophysical soil profiling system, which consists of a 3D measurement system for seismic and electric properties of the embankment and a 3D visualization system of its soil properties such as hydraulic and mechanical properties estimated from the geophysical data. For a quicker survey, we attempt to develop a senor belt with both geophones and electrodes to be able to measure seismic and electric data simultaneously. The 3D geophysical image measured is then converted with rock physics models to soil properties such as hydraulic and mechanical properties of the embankment for supporting a countermeasure design. The 3D measurement system developed is deployed on a small river embankment to image P- and S-wave velocities and resistivity of the dyke body and its operational capability is also evaluated. A soil profile on a real river embankment is derived from S-wave velocity and resistivity profiles with rock physics and is compared to the open cut of an actual dyke body for its verification. The system will be improved through application to real river embankment from now on.