Seismic vibration control

Method Type:
Seismic Techniques
Assigned Problems:
+
Building stability
+
Endangerment of structures
'+' = Technique applicable.

Buildings and Structures

Civil Engineering

Principle:
Monitoring of seismic emission of civil engineering activities (e.g., construction site activities),
blasting and traffic in buildings and other engineering structures.
Keywords:
Seismic Techniques; Seismic vibration control; Acoustic shocks; Seismic emissions; Engineering
structures; Amplitude-frequency analysis
Prerequisites:
- Accurate surveying of geometry and topography are required.
- Complex subsurface geology may lead to misinterpretation in 2-D profiles.
- Target must be characterized by a seismic impedance contrast.
- In Switzerland the VSS norm 640 312a gives rules and reference values in according to the
building category, type of vibrations and the main vibration frequency. Evaluate the source(s) of
vibrations (expected duration; frequency; intensity).
Resolution:
NA
Expected Results:
- Measured parameter: Velocity of ground motion (as determined by the voltage generated by the
calibrated geophone recording system).
- Data analysis: Processing of seismic vibration control yields amplitude vs. frequency diagram
and enable a focus on the time period of interest. Analysis of maximum amplitudes vs.
frequency.
- Interpretation: Seismic interpretation assumes that the resolved reflectors represent true
lithological interfaces. Additional geological or geophysical surface data may be required for
reliable interpretation. Analysis of maximum amplitudes, number of events / h or day or night
Combination with other Methods:
- Required additional information: Geological information is necessary for the interpretation.
Sensitivity may vary within a structure; thus, foregoing measurements at several locations may
be necessary. Geological information about the subsurface between the source and target,
information about building or engineering structures like foundation, material of walls and
ceilings, dimensions, separation of the building in zones and areas depending of their use.
- Related add-on information: Reflection seismic data, Refraction seismic data, Surface-based
tomographic data.
- Independent additional information: In some cases displacement measurements on cracks
(fissures) of the controlled objects are recommended.
Operation Expense:
- Crew size: Generally 1 - 2 persons (depends on complexity of problem)
- Acquisition speed: Standard measurements for one building take 4 hours. (depends on
complexity of the problem)
- Processing: 2 -6 hours for a standard measurement of a building

page 1

- Equipment rental costs:low to medium

Parameters to specify:
- Source type / Source parameters (e.g., amount of explosive, hammer, weight-drop, vibrators).
- Instrument type (natural frequency should be 4.5 Hz or lower).
- Frequency range to record (at least between 5 and 150 Hz).
QC Documents:
- Coordinates and map of shot and receiver locations.
- Geodetic survey.
- Calibration data.
- Field notes (e.g., all activities, effective time schedule, present personnel).
Products:
- Raw data and geometry files.
- Recordings (particle velocity in three orthogonal directions) with frequency analysis.
- Interpretation.
- Optional: Test measurements (i.e., ""walk-away"" tests, source tests, geometry test of array).
- Optional: Modelling of the detectability of an anomaly with the employed source-receiver
geometry.

page 2