Abstract

Estimation of the shear properties of seafloor sediments in littoral waters is important in modeling the acoustic propagation and predicting the strength of sediments for geotechnical applications. One of the promising approaches to estimate shear speed is by using the dispersion of seismo-acoustic interface (Scholte) waves that travel along the water-sediment boundary. The propagation speed of the Scholte waves is closely related to the shear wave speed over a depth of 1–2 wavelengths into the seabed. A geophone system for the measurement of these interface waves, along with an inversion scheme that inverts the Scholte wave dispersion data for sediment shear speed profiles have been developed. The components of this inversion scheme are a genetic algorithm and a forward model which is based on dynamic stiffness matrix approach. The effects of the assumptions of the forward model on the inversion, particularly the shear wave depth profile, will be explored using a finite element model. The results obtained from a field test conducted in very shallow waters in Davisville, RI, will be presented. These results are compared to historic estimates of shear speed and recently acquired vibracore data. [Work sponsored by ONR, Ocean Acoustics.]

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