Importance of mode detection in ambient noise array application for shear wave velocity profile determination

Abstract

In this paper we are going to show the importance of mode identification in microtremor array analysis. The idea come from four concentric ambient noise array recordings with aperture 100 to 1000 meters, performed in southern urban area of Tehran near the shrine of Imam Khomeini. These measurements were part of a comprehensive research project with the aim of determination of deep shear wave velocity model of Tehran alluvial deposits. Using appropriate signal processing techniques, including array processing methods as well as classical and time-frequency horizontal/vertical spectral ratio, the dispersion curves of surface waves, fundamental resonance frequency and Ellipticity of Rayleigh waves, were extracted. In the final step, the shear wave velocity profile of the site was determined by joint inversion of all of these attributes. The results show 2 different energetic trends in dispersion curves, for arrays of aperture 200 and 400 meters that one of them is coincide with 100m aperture array. For array with aperture 1000m any clear trend of energy could be observed because of deficiency of energy in low frequency. The inversion of data obtained by 100m aperture array alone, assuming the dispersion curve as fundamental mode (a common procedure in urban area) result in shear wave velocity that is not match with existing geological information. Performing the inversion, assuming 2 energetic trends, observed for larger arrays; one as fundamental mode and another as mode 1 of Rayleigh waves, can modify significantly the shear wave velocity profile in accordance with existing geological and geotechnical information. This study show the importance of extracting of correct dispersion curves with detecting fundamental and higher modes, using array measurement with various aperture at one place to obtain more realistic shear wave velocity profile.