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APPGEO-01779; No of Pages 10
Journal of Applied Geophysics xxx (2009) xxx–xxx

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Journal of Applied Geophysics

j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w w w. e l s ev i e r. c o m / l o c a t e / j a p p g e o

Seismic velocities and geotechnical data applied to the soil microzoning of western
Algarve, Portugal
J. Carvalho a,⁎, L. Torres a, R. Castro a, R. Dias a, L. Mendes-Victor b

a Former Instituto Geológico e Mineiro, Estrada da Portela, Zambujal, 2720-461 Amadora, Portugal
b
Instituto Infante D. Luís, Rua Escola Politécnica 51, 1050 Lisboa, Portugal

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: The Algarve province of Portugal is located near the E–W Eurasia–Africa plate boundary. It is characterized by
Received 3 April 2007 a moderate seismicity with some important historical and instrumental earthquakes causing important loss
Accepted 5 January 2009 of lives, serious damage and economical problems. It has therefore been a target of several risk assessment
Available online xxxx
projects. This paper focuses the evaluation of the most interesting and useful geotechnical near-surface
parameters, through the acquisition, processing and interpretation of P and S-waves refraction profiles and
Keywords:
Seismic refraction
the use of SPT parameters. VP/VS ratios and the Poisson's ratio were estimated and a subsoil classification
P-wave based on geophysical and geotechnical parameters is presented. The classification based upon the European
S-wave Code 8 for civil engineering and SPT bedrock data, was carried out for land use planning and design of critical
Standard penetration tests facilities. Other parameters were computed to provide information for future site effect studies. The quality
Soil classification and volume of the data gathered here using established approaches can be quite useful to estimate soil
microzoning in the absence of local earthquake records. The results also show that the lithology is the most
influent parameter on the values of seismic velocities and SPT data. Therefore, surficial geology is
inappropriate for this kind of studies and lithological maps should be used instead.
© 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction The CAPSA project (Characterization of the Seismogenic Potential

The study area (Fig. 1a), the Algarve province of Southern Portugal,
is located close to the West-Iberia continental margin, which is in a
transitional state to a convergent plate boundary (Cabral, 1995;
Ribeiro et al., 1996; Ribeiro, 2002), and near the E–W Eurasia–Africa
plate boundary extending from the Azores Islands to Gibraltar along
the Azores–Gibraltar fracture zone. This tectonic setting is responsible
for an important regional seismotectonic activity, that is evidenced by
a significant seismicity (Fig. 1b), presenting a scenario of important
seismogenic potential (Dias, 2001; Dias and Cabral, 2002).
The study area is characterized as a zone of moderate seismicity
(GSHAP et al., 1997; PGA [m/s2] 90% non exceedance probability —
50 years = 0.8–1.6). Several important historical and instrumental
earthquakes have affected some of the major cities of this Portuguese
province (Carrilho et al., 1997), causing loss of lives. In the Algarve
region, the Portimão and the S. Marcos–Quarteira faults are two of the
most important tectonic features (Fig. 1b). The main populated areas,
Faro and Portimão, are located close to these faults (see Fig. 1a and b).
⁎ Corresponding author. Postal address: Apartado 7586, 2721-866 Amadora,
Portugal. Tel.: +351 21 470 55 21; fax: +351 21 47 90 18.
E-mail addresses: joão.carvalho@ineti.pt (J. Carvalho), luis.torres@ltgeo.com
(L. Torres), ritampcnunes@hotmail.com (R. Castro), ruben.dias@ineti.pt (R. Dias),
lavictor@fc.ul.pt (L. Mendes-Victor).
of Accidents in Western Algarve) was carried out with the purpose of
improving our knowledge of the seismic hazard of the region. Several
geophysical and geological studies were performed under this
projects scope (e.g. Dias and Cabral, 2002; Carvalho et al., 2006).
In this paper, the P and S wave velocities together with available
geotechnical parameters were used to perform a geomechanical cha-
racterization of the major geological formations, enabling the propo-
sition of a soil classification.
The geomechanical characterization of the shallow layers is of vital
importance for site effect and microzoning studies. It is well known
that near surface P and S-wave seismic velocities provide valuable
information for studies of ground motion behaviour, natural frequen-
cies and the liquefaction potential under the effects of an earthquake
(e.g. Fumal and Tinsley, 1985; Tinsley and Fumal, 1985; Hunter et al.,
1993; Bauer et al., 2001).
Several methods exist to estimate site effects, which can be grouped
into three main categories (Bard, 1997): experimental, numerical and
empirical. The first group includes macroseismic observations, micro-
tremors and weak and strong motion data.
Numerical methods need the availability of geotechnical infor-
mation and the more accurate and less limitative methods based on
2D/3D wave propagation theory and expensive software. Some site
effects which are known to influence ground motion such as topog-
raphy and lateral discontinuities are difficult to account with this

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doi:10.1016/j.jappgeo.2009.01.001

Please cite this article as: Carvalho, J., et al., Seismic velocities and geotechnical data applied to the soil microzoning of western Algarve,
Portugal, Journal of Applied Geophysics (2009), doi:10.1016/j.jappgeo.2009.01.001
 ARTICLE IN PRESS
2 J. Carvalho et al. / Journal of Applied Geophysics xxx (2009) xxx–xxx


Fig. 1. a) Study area location and schematic geological map of Algarve (adapted from Oliveira et al., 1992). 1 — Quaternary; 2 — Pliocene–Pleistocene; 3 — Miocene; 4 — Paleogene; 5 — Mesozoic;
6 — Paleozoic; 7 — Monchique intrusive massif; 8 — dyke; 9 — fault. b) Seismicity for the period 1958–1998 (source: Instituto de Meteorologia) and active faults (after Dias and Cabral, 2002).
SMQ: S. Marcos–Quarteira fault; PF: Portimão fault.

methodology. However, these methods have provided a better
understanding of site effects in the last 30 years (Bard, 1997).
The last grouping of methods (empirical methods) relies on
relationships derived from earthquake motion and surface geology:
a) Qualitative surface geology/seismic intensity increment correlation,
b) Surface geology/local amplification relationships,
c) Amplification/geotechnical parameters relations (shear-wave
velocity and SPT — standard penetration test).
In the last category of methods, the relationship between surface
geology and response spectra is obtained.
Empirical attenuation laws correlate specific ground motion
parameters (peak ground acceleration, velocity or displacement,
e.g.) with the magnitude and distance of the seismic event. The
relations often incorporate a crude site parameter, such as 1 for soils
and 0 for hard rock (Penelis, 1997).
S-wave velocities and SPT data from the first meters below the
ground surface are important data, not only in the assessment of site
effects but also in the design of seismic actions for earthquake
engineering. If macroseismic data or earthquake records are not
available, this information is even more important to obtain the
microzoning data and to estimate site effects. Several methods for
estimating shear waves can be used (Turesson, 2007), such as borehole
logging, seismic refraction profiles or surface waves inversion.
The objective of this work is to provide information about the
geomechanical properties for the first 10 m of the subsurface, using P

Please cite this article as: Carvalho, J., et al., Seismic velocities and geotechnical data applied to the soil microzoning of western Algarve,
Portugal, Journal of Applied Geophysics (2009), doi:10.1016/j.jappgeo.2009.01.001
 ARTICLE IN PRESS
J. Carvalho et al. / Journal of Applied Geophysics xxx (2009) xxx–xxx 3

Table 1
Poisson's coefficient and VP/VS ratios for shallow layers in western Algarve calculated from seismic refraction studies

Geology Profile Velocity (m/s) VP1/VS1 Poisson's Velocity (m/s) VP2/VS2 Poisson's
1st layer coefficient 2nd layer coefficient
P wave S wave P wave S wave
Holocenic deposits PN1 265 108 2.45 0.40 1902 301 6.32 0.49
ALV1 541 166 3.26 0.45 2038 291 7.00 0.49
Odiáxere Gravels OD1 325 188 1.73 0.25 1396 885 1.58 0.16
FRA2 499 331 1.51 0.11 905 520 1.74 0.25
Ludo Formation LG2 285 189 1.51 0.11 736 457 1.61 0.19
LGA1 365 250 1.46 0.06 816 495 1.65 0.21
POR1 529 307 1.72 0.25 826 472 1.75 0.26
Mem Moniz fossiliferous limestones TUN1 255 111 2.30 0.38 724 340 2.13 0.36
Lagos–Portimão Formationa ALV2 249 113 2.20 0.37 736 376 1.96 0.32
ALB1 311 193 1.61 0.19 582 334 1.74 0.25
LG1 365 179 2.04 0.34 1152 665 1.73 0.25
FRA1 308 121 2.55 0.41 1795 1222 1.47 0.07
a
Carbonates, sandstones and silts.

and S wave velocities from refraction studies and geotechnical
information. Poisson's ratio and VP/VS ratios were determined and a
soil classification was produced from shear wave velocity, layer
thickness and SPT information. Soil classifications as the one
presented here, based on the Eurocode 8, are used for characterization
of seismic action and design spectra and can be directly used in the
definition of the response spectra for a particular geographical area.
2. Geological setting
Regional geology comprises Paleozoic basement rocks, flysch
sequences of slates and greywacke, folded and faulted during the
Variscan orogeny, outcropping in the northern area. The Paleozoic
basement is intruded in northwestern Algarve, at Monchique, by an
igneous intrusive massif of Upper Cretaceous age, which shows an
elliptical shape in outcrop of about 100 km2 (Fig. 1a). Mesozoic and
Cenozoic rocks can be found in two superposed sedimentary basins, in
the south (Fig. 1a). The Mesozoic rocks, dating from Upper Triassic to
Lower Cretaceous, comprise mainly of continental siliciclastic and
marine carbonate sediments, deposited in a basin developed in a
transtensional regime related to the opening of the Tethys Sea and the
Central Atlantic Ocean (Terrinha et al., 1998).
The Cenozoic basin was formed by flexural processes associated
with the collision of Africa and Iberia (Terrinha, 1998; Terrinha et al.,
1998). The Cenozoic deposits include yellow or pink massive and very
fossiliferous biocalcarenites, (Lagos–Portimão Formation) of Lower–
Middle Miocene age, overlaid by laminated sandstones poor in fossils
of Upper Miocene age (Pais et al., 2000).
The uppermost Miocene deposits are the Mem Martins fossiliferous
limestones and the Cacela Formation (Antunes and Pais, 1993; Legoinha,
2003). The former comprises white fossiliferous limestones with
abundant microfauna and rare macrofossils in angular unconformity
over Cretaceous units, while the latter comprises conglomerates, fine
yellowish-gray sandstones and fine yellowish-orange sands intercalated
with levels of carbonate concretions (Cachão, 1995; Pais et al., 2000)
overlying the Triassic sediments and the Lagos–Portimão Formation.
Pliocene to Pleistocene fluvio-deltaic reddish sands and conglom-
erates (Ludo Formation) overly the Paleozoic basement, the Mesozoic
or the Miocene sediments (Manuppella, 1992; Moura and Boski, 1999).
The Ludo Formation, which covers a very irregular karst surface,
developed in the Mesozoic and Miocene carbonate rocks and is often
affected by strong deformation produced by subsidence or sudden
collapse (Dias and Cabral, 2002). In the Portimão area there are also
outcrops of gravels and sands of Pleistocene age (Odiáxere Gravels)
(Dias, 2001). Associated with the fluvial drainage system, alluvium
and terraces of Holocene age occur.
3. Seismic refraction data acquisition
It was decided to sample only Cenozoic terrains, since hard
Mesozoic and Paleozoic formations are assumed to present a very low
liquefaction susceptibility (NRC, 1985; Jorge, 1994, e.g.) and low site
amplification (Astroza and Monge, 1991; Borcherdt and Glassmoyer,
1992; Hunter et al., 1993, e. g.). Location of the profiles was selected
according to the geological and geotechnical soundings information.
All Tertiary formations were sampled at least once. A total of 12
locations were selected (Table 1, Fig. 2) and tests were conducted at
two additional sites. Data are presented in Table 1.
For the P-wave survey, a steel hammer and plate were used as a
source (24 and 50 Hz vertical sensors). A short steel beam with spikes
under the base and a large wooden beam under the wheel of a jeep
were used in the shear wave surveys (24 and 40 Hz horizontal
geophones).
Spot tests revealed that the wooden beam provided a better
coupling for less consolidated sediments than the steel beam with
spikes, so it was used on a routine basis for the S-wave refraction

Fig. 2. Location of the geotechnical soundings and refraction profiles used in this study.

Please cite this article as: Carvalho, J., et al., Seismic velocities and geotechnical data applied to the soil microzoning of western Algarve,
Portugal, Journal of Applied Geophysics (2009), doi:10.1016/j.jappgeo.2009.01.001
 ARTICLE IN PRESS
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Please cite this article as: Carvalho, J., et al., Seismic velocities and geotechnical data applied to the soil microzoning of western Algarve,
Portugal, Journal of Applied Geophysics (2009), doi:10.1016/j.jappgeo.2009.01.001
 ARTICLE IN PRESS
J. Carvalho et al. / Journal of Applied Geophysics xxx (2009) xxx–xxx 5

Table 2
SPT (non-refusal) values from the Cenozoic formations covering the study area

Geology Age Profile SPT (N value) Depth to basement (m) Number of

Extreme values Average Extreme values Average wells/soundings

Holocenic deposits Holocene PN1 3–31 17 3.5–31.6 14.8 45

ALV1
Odiáxere Gravels Pleistocene OD1
FRA2
Ludo Formation Plio-Quaternary LG2 24–44 34 2–25 16 22
LGA1
POR1
Mem Moniz fossiliferous limestones Upper Miocene TUN1 17–45 31 6.5–27 18.4 17
Lagos–Portimão Formationa Middle–Lower Miocene ALV2 8–60 25 0.5–31 11.8 72
ALB1
LG1
FRA1

The basement is defined as a layer with N = 60 at the first phase of the SPT or several consecutive values of 60 at the second phase. Tests were performed every 1 or 2 m but only
average and extreme values are shown.
a
Carbonates, sandstones and silts.

surveys. A geophone spacing of 2.5 m and a source-to-nearest receiver
offset of 1 m, allowed a reasonable to very good picking of the first
arrivals. For each profile, forward, reverse and middle shots were fired
for a better control of the upper layer. A vertical stack of 10 hammer
impacts at each shot point was used.
Matrix tests, in which radial, transverse and vertical impacts on the
S-wave source were produced, for both orientations of the horizontal
geophones (Hasbrouck, 1991), showed that best results were obtained
with the T/T (transverse orientation of the geophones and hammer
strikes relative to the profile orientation).
For the display of S-wave records, strikes from the opposite side of
the beam are usually summed with polarity reversal of one of the
strikes, in order to eliminate P-wave contamination (Helbig, 1987;
Hasbrouck, 1987). This procedure might be destructive rather than
effective (Hasbrouck, 1987, 1991). For first arrival picking, “shear-pair”
display was used in which, the strike from one side is displayed in
variable area mode and the strike from the opposite direction in
wiggle trace with reversed polarity.
An example of a record obtained is shown in Fig. 3 in the summed
shear-pair display mode. SEG polarity convention is used, in which
vertical impact produces a downswing in first arrivals for P wave
surveys and for S wave profiles. The base of horizontal geophones for
transverse strikes was oriented in the same direction of the first strike.
4. Geotechnical information
Hundreds of wells were drilled in the Algarve for water supply and
geotechnical studies performed for engineering purposes, covering all
the geological formations of the study area. These data are available at
the Hydrogeology Department of the Instituto Geológico e Mineiro. All
this information was collected, geo-referenced and integrated in a GIS
together with other geological and geophysical data.
SPT values were sometimes available and used to detect depth to
the basement on the seismic refraction profiles. In this paper, SPT
values from 156 wells drilled in the Cenozoic formations covering the
study area were used (Fig. 2). The basement was defined as the N
parameter = 60 for several consecutive tests at increasing depths.
Other wells with SPT data from Mesozoic and Paleozoic formations
were also analysed, but, if the basement was reached at the surface or
at less than 1 m, the data from these wells were not included.
Tests were performed every 1 or 2 m. The average and SPT extreme
non-refusal values found for each geological formation are presented
in Table 2. In some soundings, isolated (in depth) N values of 60 were
found due to the presence of pebbles or gravel and these values were
included in Table 2. This “false” basement situation could also be easily
detected due the existence, in most of the cases, of several closely
spaced soundings. When the basement was deeper than 10 m, SPT
values were averaged only until this depth.
Depths to the basement are also showed in Table 2, where from
simple analysis, a wide range of the N value for each geological
formation is presented. The value of this parameter depends on the
lithology being drilled but there is no linear relationship between
the N value and the age and depth of the geological formation. The
Lagos–Portimão Formation is the geological unit presenting the
widest range of values due to the presence of calcareous units.
5. Refraction data interpretation
Interpretation of P and S wave refraction data was done with the
method of Haeni et al. (1987) and when reciprocal times were
available, by the Generalised Reciprocal Method (GRM, Palmer, 1980).
The first interpretation method uses the delay-times method for a first
model, followed by three iterations of raytracing and minimization by
least squares of the residuals.
Velocities were estimated by a weighted average (by the number of
points used in the estimate) of a simple linear regression of the first
arrival data and the velocity function of the GRM. One shot inside the
geophone spread was fired for a better estimation of the very-low
velocity of the surface layer, not only due to its importance in site-
effects studies but also because of its importance in allowing a better
estimate of the velocity of the underlying layer.
Because the noise levels were generally low, the first arrival could be
picked with an accuracy of ±0.3 ms. Some examples of the time–distance
curves, including layer assignment, and the depth models obtained
(only by the method of Haeni et al., 1987) are presented in Fig. 4.
From the refraction surveys, seismic velocities and VP/VS ratios
were calculated and so from these, Poisson's ratio σ was computedo
using the relation:
 2
0:5× VVPS − 1
σ =  2
VP
VS −1
Velocities, Poisson's ratio and VP/VS ratios for each profile are
shown in Table 1.
In the first two layers, the shear wave velocities observed in the
transverse receiver component are ranging from 108 m/s to 1222 m/s,

Fig. 3. Examples of raw records from the P and S-wave refraction surveys (summed shear-pair display). Top: Alvor 1(ALV1); Middle: Penina 1(PN1); Bottom: Alvor 2 (ALV2).

Please cite this article as: Carvalho, J., et al., Seismic velocities and geotechnical data applied to the soil microzoning of western Algarve,
Portugal, Journal of Applied Geophysics (2009), doi:10.1016/j.jappgeo.2009.01.001
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Fig. 4. Examples of models obtained from the refraction interpretation and respective time–distance curves.

Please cite this article as: Carvalho, J., et al., Seismic velocities and geotechnical data applied to the soil microzoning of western Algarve,
Portugal, Journal of Applied Geophysics (2009), doi:10.1016/j.jappgeo.2009.01.001
 ARTICLE IN PRESS
J. Carvalho et al. / Journal of Applied Geophysics xxx (2009) xxx–xxx
Fig. 4 (continued).
while compressional waves velocities, P, vary from 249 m/s to 2038 m/s.
For the first layer, VP/VS ratios exhibit a range from 1.46 to 3.26 and for
the second layer this ratio is from 1.47 to 7.0, while Poisson's ratio varies
from 0.06 to 0.49 for two layers. Good conformity between P-wave and
S-wave models was found for all, except for two profiles, Penina (Pn1)
and Alvor 1(Alv1) (see Table 1), where the water table is very shallow.
These two profiles present the highest VP/VS ratios and Poisson's ratio for
both first and second layers.
The determined values of VP/VS ratios and the Poisson's ratio are
consistent with those found in the literature for similar shallow
sediments (Lankston, 1990; Almeida et al., 1999; Salem, 2000). The
profiles of Penina and Alvor 1 present, for the second layer, higher
values than those usually found for totally saturated shallow
sediments (Lankston, 1990; Salem, 2000). Values of VP/VS ratios up
to 9 however, have been several times reported in water-saturated,
unconsolidated or clayish sediments (Salem, 2000).
6. Results and discussion
In order to protect human lives, reduce damage and maintain the
integrity of society the construction of buildings and civil engineering
structures have to be realized in accordance with local subsoil classifica-
tion established on the basis of the respective seismic risk (Penelis, 1997).
Shear-wave data collected in the framework of the present project
and the reports from selected standard penetration tests are used to
propose a classification of the gross soil dynamic properties. In order to
achieve that, a local characterization of the geophysical and geotechnical
sampled areas was based on a suitably adopted soil classification
(Penelis, 1997). Then, the coarse sampling was generalised using
available digital geological cartography, in a GIS environment.
Please cite this article as: Carvalho, J., et al., Seismic velocities and geotechnical data applied to the soil microzoning of western Algarve,
Portugal, Journal of Applied Geophysics (2009), doi:10.1016/j.jappgeo.2009.01.001
7
It should be noted that what is represented as a single geotechnical
sounding in Fig. 4 is a group of several jointly soundings within a more
or less extensive area. So, in these cases, the soundings are in general
fairly representative of the geological formation areas where they are
located.
The soil conditions are portrayed by shear-wave velocity and layer
thickness (Penelis,1997). Due to problems in determining the base of the
second layer with refraction studies, SPT values were used, when
available, to determine the presence of a deeper layer or bedrock. These
SPT values are therefore included in the soil classification, but they were
not included in the original classification carried out by Penelis (1997).
It seems possible to adopt the following classification criteria:
1. Subsoil class A o
a. rock or geologic formation characterized by VS N =800 m/s
b. compact deposits of sands, gravels or overconsolidated clays,
several tens of meters thick (VS N =400 m/s at 10 m depth)
2. Subsoil class B
a. deep deposits of medium dense sands, gravel or stiff clays with
thickness from several tens to hundreds of meters (VS N =200 m/s at
10 m depth to VS N =350 m/s at 50 m depth (SPT N ~ 60))
3. Subsoil class C
a. loose cohesionless deposits with or without soft cohesive layers
(VS b 200 m/s at depths b20 m (SPT N b =10))
b. deposits with soft-to-medium stiff cohesive soils (VS b 200 m/s at
depths b20 m (SPT N b =10)).
The geological cartography used ranged in scales from 1:50 000 to
1:500 000. Particularly, useful was the 1:100 000 geological map
(Manuppella, 1992). However because only the 1:500 000 map
 ARTICLE IN PRESS
8 J. Carvalho et al. / Journal of Applied Geophysics xxx (2009) xxx–xxx

Fig. 5. Soil classification (adapted from Penelis, 1997) map according to shear-wave velocity, layer thickness and SPT data.

((Oliveira et al., 1992) was available digitally at the time, the results are
presented at that scale.
The soil classification is presented in Fig. 5 for the Algarve area.
Soils of class C were not found in the study area because of the
limited depth penetration of the refraction profiles. Classification AB
was attributed to soils with mixed properties of types A and B.
Mesozoic and Paleozoic formations were not studied, since it was
assumed that they represent a very low susceptibility of amplifica-
tion or of liquefaction (Jorge, 1994).
However, unpublished data collected by the authors in Mesozoic
and Paleozoic formations in other areas of Portugal suggest that this
assumption may not be correct. P-wave velocities for the first layer
obtained from many refraction profiles, in similar lithologies of those
in the Algarve, are in the range 152–751 m/s (Galhano et al., 1998).
The average thickness surface layer varies from 1 m to 7 m
approximately. If we use an average VP/VS ratio for non-saturated
formations in the Table 1 we would obtain maximum shear velocities
for this layer of 417 m/s.
Since bedrock P-wave velocities under these profiles are usually
well above 1500 m/s, these values would place these soils under class A
type b) of the classification presented here. The degree of weathering
influences the thickness and seismic velocities of these older
geological formations, and they probably could be included in several
soil classifications. Since a great number of refraction profiles would be
required to produce their classification, the latter was not attempted
here, but these local constrains should perhaps be considered to
achieve a more detailed and maybe more appropriate microzoning and
site effects estimations since though these possible areas of hazard
have at present time a very low population density, there is a high
building rate in all Algarve.
This soil classification also portrays an important problem. Generally,
each geological formation is composed by different lithologies that

Fig. 6. Variations of seismic (VS/100; VP/VS), geomechanical (Poisson's ratio, N parameter) parameters and depth for the different geological formation found in the study area.

Please cite this article as: Carvalho, J., et al., Seismic velocities and geotechnical data applied to the soil microzoning of western Algarve,
Portugal, Journal of Applied Geophysics (2009), doi:10.1016/j.jappgeo.2009.01.001
 ARTICLE IN PRESS
J. Carvalho et al. / Journal of Applied Geophysics xxx (2009) xxx–xxx
Fig. 7. Distribution of the N-value (non-refusal tests) by different lithologies of the Lagos–Portimão Formation. Limestones correspond to refusal tests and were not included in the
graphic. A total of 72 soundings were used.
present a relatively wide range of the N value. Looking at Tables 1 and 2,
a few conclusions can be extracted:
a) No apparent relationship between the N value and geological
age exists; depth also seems to produce a secondary effect on the
N parameter;
b) Lithology seems to be the most important factor of the former
parameter.
There is no clear correlation between the geomechanical para-
meters estimated from seismic and SPT data. This can be deduced from
the analysis of Fig. 6. The lack of correlation of SPT and seismic
velocities or parameters deduced from them is again very probably due
to the different lithologies that compose each geological formation.
The Lagos–Portimão Formation is a good example of this problem.
Analysing the velocities found for this geological unit presented in
Table 1 (which range from 334 m/s to 1222 m/s) and the values of the
N parameter shown in Table 2 (it varies from 8 to 60) it can be seen
that this formation presents the widest range of both seismic and
geotechnical parameters among all geological formations. This fact
results from the distinct lithologies that compose the Lagos–Portimão
Formation and is the cause for the apparent anti-correlation between
seismic and SPT parameters observed in Fig. 6. The graphic with the
N value for the distinct lithologies of the Lagos–Portimão Formation,
shown in Fig. 7, supports this conclusion.
This result agrees with those of others (Romero and Rix, 2001;
Scott et al., 2004; Thelen et al., 2006) that conclude that surficial
geology is not a good corollary for determining soil amplification
factors (Lenz and Baise, 2007).
This conclusion implies that a detailed geological cartography with
lithological mapping should be used for a proper microzoning and site
effects studies. Our spatial sampling and depth of penetration were
limited but there is a good lithostratigraphic control of the study area
formations. Furthermore, a zoning of this type is for the first time
attempted in the study area and can be further refined in the future
and combined and cross-checked with other types of data, such as soil
response frequencies (Nakamura, 1989).
7. Conclusions
P-wave and S-wave seismic velocities obtained from seismic
refraction profiles acquired throughout western Algarve, together
with surface geology and SPT data have provided mechanical
characterization of the geological formations of the area.
This characterization was used at two different levels: to produce a
soil classification to describe response spectra used to design seismic
actions in earthquake engineering and, on the other hand, to estimate
geomechanical parameters such as VP/VS ratios and Poisson's ratio,
from which site effects and microzoning can be evaluated.
Please cite this article as: Carvalho, J., et al., Seismic velocities and geotechnical data applied to the soil microzoning of western Algarve,
Portugal, Journal of Applied Geophysics (2009), doi:10.1016/j.jappgeo.2009.01.001
9
In the absence of macroseismic data or earthquake records, the
seismic refraction technique and SPT data are traditional and solid
approaches of acquiring information for site effects and microzoning
studies. Other well known methods for obtaining shear wave
velocities, such as borehole logging or multichannel analysis of
surface wave (MASW) can also be applied.
Though a liquefaction potential map exists for the region based on
geological criteria (Jorge, 1994), for the first time a classification of the
soils based on geophysical, geotechnical and geological data is
produced in the Algarve.
To model local effects of ground motion amplification under an
earthquake, VP/VS ratios and the Poisson's ratio are important
parameters. The natural frequencies of the soils can also be estimated
from shear wave velocities and thicknesses of the shallower layers and
these data have been collected for the whole study area. Whether used
directly to perform microzoning of the study area through empirical
methods, or indirectly as input parameters in more sophisticated
numerical methods, the data will improve this first microzoning of the
Algarve.
Used in conjunction with seismicity hazard data, such as peak
ground accelerations and seismic intensities, it will constitute an
important improvement in the seismic risk evaluation and for
mitigation in the study area. It will therefore provide important
information in land use planning and for civil protection management.
Acknowledgments
The CAPSA project was supported by the Portuguese Foundation
for Science and Technology and the European Community. Our thanks
go to the former Instituto Geológico e Mineiro for support to this
project and to the Instituto de Meteorologia. The authors would like to
thank F. Almeida from the Univ. of Aveiro for sharing his experience on
shear-wave seismic sources. We are also indebted to the field crew:
J. Leote, J. Gomes, J. Vicente and D. Silva. The suggestions of two
anonymous reviewers who greatly contributed for the final version of
this manuscript are also acknowledged.
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