Validity of the Refraction Microtremors (ReMi) Method for Determining Shear Wave Velocities for Different Soil Types in Egypt

Mohamed Ahmed Gamal, Satish Pullammanappallil

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DOI: 10.4236/ijg.2011.24056                

Abstract

The Refraction Microtremor (ReMi) method is being used around the world by the geotechnical and geophysical community to determine shear-wave velocities. This is due to its faster, less expensive and accurate determination of shear wave velocities, when compared to other methods used. Unlike standard crosshole and downhole techniques, ReMi does not require any drilling. It eliminates the problem of shear-wave source and quiet site that are pre-requisites for good seismic refraction surveys. In this paper we present refraction microtremors (ReMi) measurements done at sites underlain by different soil types in Egypt. The ReMi data were collected using standard refraction equipment employing 12, 24 or 48 channels. We used deep oceanographic noise and ambient noise including energy from power generators, pile drivers and traffic. The data were processed using the SeisOpt® ReMi? (© Optim, Inc.) software to reveal one-dimensional shear-wave velocity structures beneath the arrays. To access the validity of the method for the Egyptian soils, the shear-wave profiles obtained from the ReMi measurements were compared to downhole and crosshole data for different soils. Comparisons demonstrate the robustness of the ReMi technique for obtaining shear-wave velocities for different soil types in Egypt.

Keywords

Refraction, Microtremors, ReMi, Crosshole, Downhole, Shear Wave, Egypt

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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