Determination of shear wave velocities in sediment deposits

Abstract

This work aims to identify geotechnical characteristics at selected sites in Crete, Greece where strong ground motion stations of the Hellenic Accelerometric Network are installed. Particular emphasis was given in the determination of shear wave velocity profiles, so that the geotechnical classification of the sites in relation to their seismic response can be defined. The shear wave velocity was estimated using the multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) method along survey lines close to boreholes, drilled for site investigation purposes. In order to verify the reliability of MASW results, published relationships between shear wave velocity and standard penetration test values were considered. In addition, shear wave velocity measurements were conducted through laboratory tests using bender elements on undisturbed soil samples obtained during drilling. Results indicate that a combination of techniques for shear wave estimation may minimise the effects of uncertainties involved in application and assumptions of the MASW method.