Comparing Shear-Wave Velocity Profiles from MASW with Borehole Measurements in Unconsolidated Sediments, Fraser River Delta, B.C., Canada

Abstract

Recent field tests illustrate the accuracy and consistency of estimating near-surface shear (S) wave velocities calculated using Multi-channel Analysis of Surface Wave (MASW). To evaluate the technique in a variety of near-surface conditions and through a wide range of velocities, MASW-derived S-wave velocity profiles (S-wave velocity vs. depth) were statistically compared to S-wave velocity profiles measured in seven boreholes in the unconsolidated sediments of the Fraser River delta, near Vancouver, B.C., Canada. An overall difference of approximately 15 percent was observed between these two uniquely determined sets of S-wave velocities from the seven well locations. A blind test of the standalone accuracy of MASW was conducted at an eighth well. For this blind test, S-wave velocity measurements made in and interpreted from the borehole were not made available during MASW data processing. Differences between S-wave velocities using MASW from those measured in the blind test borehole averaged nine percent. No systematic differences between these results were observed in data from any of the eight test sites. The MASW method provided reliable S-wave velocity profiles from [Formula: see text] below the ground surface at some sites in the Fraser delta.