Proceedings of Indian Geotechnical Conference

December 22-24, 2013, Roorkee

APPLICATION OF GEOPHYSICAL SEISMIC REFRACTION SURVEY FOR

GEOTECHNICAL SITE INVESTIGATION

B.Pratap, Scientist B CSMRS, New Delhi, e-mail: bpcsmrs@gmail.com

A.Varughese, Scientist C (I/c) CSMRS, New Delhi, e-mail: alexvarughese@ gmail.com

ABSTRACT: There is an increasing requirement for geophysical seismic refraction surveys carried out during
geotechnical investigations to provide direct information about rock quality or other geotechnical parameters. This
information is required for deciding and designing the foundations for the civil structures. The geophysical seismic
refraction survey was conducted for the construction of proposed dam site of Ujh multipurpose project District;
Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The aim of the survey was to provide and evaluate the thickness and quality
of the overburden and characteristics of the bedrock profile, along the surveyed seismic lines. The seismic
refraction survey employed at the dam site proved to be very useful, quick and economical for geotechnical site
investigation.

1. INTRODUCTION
Geophysical seismic refraction survey is widely
accepted as a non destructive dynamic test for
geotechnical site investigation. It is used to
determine the magnitude of seismic wave
velocities and to locate significant elastic
discontinuities of the subsurface. Seismic
refraction survey plays an important role in the
field of geotechnical site investigations. This type
of investigation is fast and economic, so large area
can be covered in less time to determine the depth
of bed rock, depth of overburden, estimating
rippability etc. In order to evaluate the thickness of
the overburden and characteristics of the bed rock,
seismic refraction survey was conducted to
delineate the bed rock profile to facilitate the
construction of the dam.
The Ujh multipurpose project envisages the
construction of 119 m high dam for the generation
of 280 MW power. The project area is located on
the river Ujh, near Panchthirthi, District; Kathua,
(J&K) state.
Seismic refraction survey for a total length of 644
m consisting of 5 spreads was conducted on right
and left bank of Ujh River. For the seismic
interstices filled with coarse sand, gravels and
pebbles. On the right bank, the exposed rock
dipping downstream was visible. In the right bank
exposed rock was observed up to a considerable
refraction survey work, explosive was used for
generation of seismic waves. A total of five shots
were executed, two at the extreme end of the
profile line, one at the middle and two at a distance
equivalent of the profile line from beginning and
end of geophones.
This paper describes the methodology adopted,
equipment used, actual field work carried out and
conclusion drawn from the seismic refraction
survey conducted at dam site of Ujh multipurpose
project District; Kathua (J&K).
2. SUBSURFACE GEOLOGY
Geologically, the surveyed area is underlain by
Siwalik formation, comprising formations from
recent and sub-recent to Miocene, in age. These
deposits comprise of thin sequence of pebbles,
cobbles, boulders, sandstones and coarse sands
intercalated with clays. The geological succession
of the area is given in table 1.
The entire area was covered with naturally densely
packed river borne materials consisting of
boulders of size varying from 0.1 to 1.00 m with its
height, whereas the left bank was plain. Exposed
sand stone, gritty sandstones with thin clay partings
belonging to Lower Siwalik group was observed
along the proposed dam site (GSI Report, 2009).

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Birendra Pratap & Alex Varughese
Table 1 The geological succession of the area
Sub Stage Lithology Age
Group
Upper Dhok Sandstone, Lower
Siwalik Pathan Shale with Pliocene
Stage isolated
nodules
Middle Nagri Sandstone Upper
Siwalik Stage and Shale Miocene
3. SEISMIC REFRACTION SURVEY
In seismic refraction survey, elastic waves are
generated artificially by explosive source or by
mechanical hammer. The source should ideally
provide a pulse of duration, not more than a few
milliseconds with high amplitude. In an elastic
homogeneous ground the source inducts
instantaneous deformation, which causes
deformation in the vicinity of the source point. By
virtue of the elastic behaviour of the rock, the
elastic deformation propagates in all directions as
spherical wave fronts. On critical refraction, the
refracted waves travel along the interface and
sends out secondary waves to the surface. These
returning waves are recorded in the seismic
refraction survey.
A typical seismic profile consists of 24 number of
vertical geophones uniformly spaced at a distance
of 5 or 6 m. Explosives or mechanical hammer are
used for generation of seismic waves. Generally,
five shots are used for recording the seismic waves
depending upon the topography and layout of the
profile. The quantity of the explosive charge used
range from 0.12 kg to 1.2 kg depending upon the
site conditions. The shots are fired with zero delay
detonators. The seismic equipment is actuated
automatically by make and breaks circuit or by a
trigger geophone planted a distance of less than 0.5
m from the shot point. The seismic wave trace
recorded in the floppy disc and hard copy prints are
taken for calculation, travel time of seismic waves.
3.1 Data Acquisition
The seismic refraction survey was conducted using
the ABEM TERROLAC- 24 channel seismograph
consisting of two 12 - conductor cables, amplifiers,
geophones, seismic cables, seismic energy source,
blaster and recording device. The amplifiers
function is to boost the signal detected by the
geophones to a level suitable for input to the
recording device. The main energy source used
was low charge blasting. For each spread of 24
geophones, 5 shots were executed, three shots
within the profile to obtain the lateral velocity
variation in the top layer (s) and two shots on either
side of the spread, to provide the true seismic
velocity of the sound rock surface. The seismic
record from each shot was verified in the field for
the accuracy of the data.
Five seismic profiles consisting of three seismic
lines No. 110001, 110002 and 110003 of total
length 391 m on the right bank and seismic lines
No. 220001 and 220002 of total length 253 m on
the left bank was conducted (CSMRS Report,
2011). The layout plan of the seismic profile lines
is shown in Fig. 1. The seismic refraction survey
was conducted across dam axis in the right bank
and left bank sides, only in the dry areaSince the
area was covered with exposed boulders, cobbles
and pebbles, it was difficult to plant the geophones.
Hence geophones were planted in plastic bucket
filled with sand and it was embedded in the ground
as shown in Fig. 2.
3.2 Interpretation Techniques
There are various methods of interpretation of
seismic refraction field data viz. Intercept Time
method, Critical Distance method, Hales method,
Wave Front method and Hawkins method or Plus -
Minus method or ABC method (Sjogren, 1984). In
this case, interpretation of seismic data was done
using ABC method. This method provides
information on thickness of the various layers,
depth to bed rock under each geophone and rock
quality. The interpretation procedure consists of
Picking up of first arrivals of P-wave from the
seismic records.
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 Application of Geophysical Seismic Refraction Survey for Geotechnical Site Investigation

Fig. 1 Layout plan of geoseismic profile lines at proposed dam site.

Fig. 2 Arrangement to fix Geophones at dam site

.

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Birendra Pratap & Alex Varughese
The timedistance plots are drawn for all the shot
points. The interpretation of P-wave velocity and
depth of various layers of subsurface formations
are then performed by Plus-Minus method. The
bed rock depth has been calculated at every
geophone position to arrive at the bed rock profile.
Different seismic velocities seen from the field
records have been interpreted by considering the
variation in seismic velocities within the different
types of sub-surface material (Varughese et al,
2011) and taking into account the local geology.
3.3 Representative Seismic Velocities in Various
Materials
The range of Compressional or P- wave velocity
for various Earth materials under dry and wet
conditions varies (Keary and Brooks, 1984). The
order of magnitude of the Compressional wave
velocities helps in classifying the sub-surface(a)
layers in terms of engineering strength. From the
evaluated Compressional wave velocities the
geological layers have been generally classified as
shown in Table 2 (CWPRS 2008). The results
however, obtained are to be calibrated with
borehole logs data.
Table 2 Classification of Geological layers based
on seismic velocity
Sl. Velocity Classification
No. (m/sec)
1. less than 1000 Overburden
2 1000-1400 Highly weathered rock
3 1400-2500 Weathered rock
4 2500-4000 Weak zone in bed rock
5 above 4000 Bed rock
3.4 Precision and Limitations
The depth of bed rock computed from seismic
refraction data should be accurate within +/- 10%
of the actual depth. Other phenomenon such as
velocity inversion and hidden layers diminish the
procedure for interpretation. However, boundary
strata may have seismic velocity very close/similar
to the highly weathered rock/weathered rock/weak
zone in bedrock, which may lead to wrong
interpretations. These cases may be avoided by
correlation with borehole information and by
collecting data from different such projects by the
using same equipment. The interpretation of a line
along a sloping surface tends to be erroneous. The
accuracy increases with the increase in contrast of
the various layers.
4 DISCUSSION OF THE RESULTS
4.1 Right Bank of Proposed Dam Axis
Two seismic lines No. 110001 and 110003 each of
lengths 138 m and one seismic line No. 110002 of
length 115 m on the right bank was conducted
across the dam axis. Out of which the data
collected for seismic line No. 110002 of length 115
m was uninterruptable. The location of these
seismic lines is shown in Fig 1. The geoseismic
section of profile line is given in Fig. 3 & 4.
Profile Line No: 110001
The total length of the seismic profile line was 138
m and the geophone spacing was 6 m. On the basis
of geoseismic section of profile line No. 110001
(Fig. 3), the geophysical model suggests three
layers. The seismic velocity for first layer was
found to be 600-1900 m/sec. Geophysical
interpretation as well as visual examination, it can
be confirmed that the first layer (top surface layer)
consists of river borne materials, boulders of size
varying from 0.1 to 1.00 m and its interstices filled
with coarser fraction of sand, pebbles and gravels.
It was also observed that the materials were
densely packed.
The seismic velocity of the second layer was found
to be 2300 - 3100 m/sec, which is the general P-
wave velocity in weathered rock/weak rock mass.
The second layer consists of saturated and densely
packed river borne materials. This layer seems to
be fully saturated. The bed rock was found only in
third layer having seismic velocity 4500 - 4800
m/sec. The depth of the bed rock varies from 41 to
45 m. The interpreted results are presented in the
form of geoseismic section of profile line is given
in Fig. 3.
Profile Line No: 110003
The total length of seismic profile line was 138 m
and the geophone spacing was 6 m, conducted
parallel to seismic line No. 110001 as shown in
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 Application of Geophysical Seismic Refraction Survey for Geotechnical Site Investigation
Fig. 1. On the basis of geoseismic section of profile
line No. 110003 (Fig. 4), the geophysical model
suggests three layers. The seismic velocity for first
layer was found to be 600-1800 m/sec.
Geophysical interpretation as well as visual
examination, it can be confirmed that the first layer
(top surface layer) consists of river borne materials,
boulders of size varying from 0.1 to 1.00 m and its
interstices filled with coarser fraction of sand,
pebbles and gravels. It was also observed that the
materials were densely packed in nature.
Fig. 3 Geoseismic section of profile No. 110001
4.2 Left Bank of Proposed Dam Axis
Two seismic lines No. 220001 and 220002 of
length 138 and 115 m on the left bank were
conducted across the dam axis. The location of
these seismic lines is shown in Fig. 1. The
geoseismic section of profile line is given in Fig. 5
& 6.
Profile Line No: 220001
The total length of the seismic profile line was 138
m and the geophone spacing was 6 m. On the basis
of geoseismic section of profile line No. 220001
(Fig. 5), the geophysical model suggests two
layers. The seismic velocity for first layer was
found to be 700 m/sec. Geophysical interpretation
as well as visual examination, it can be confirmed
that the first layer (top surface layer) consists of
river borne materials, boulders of size varying from
The second layer consists of two strata having
seismic velocity of 2200 - 3000 m/sec and 4500
m/sec. The second layer consist of saturated and
densely packed river borne materials having P-
wave velocity 2200 - 3000 m/sec, which is the
general P- wave velocity of weathered rock/weak
rock mass. The bed rock was found in second layer
having seismic velocity 4500 - 4800 m/sec. The
depth of the bed rock varies from 13 to 26 m. The
interpreted results are presented in the form of
geoseismic section of profile line is given in Fig. 4.
Fig. 4 Geoseismic section of profile No. 110003
0.1 to 1.00 m and its interstices filled with coarser
fraction of sand, pebbles and gravels. It was also
observed that the materials were densely packed.
The seismic velocity of the second layer was found
to be 2600 m/sec, which is the general P-wave
velocity in weathered rock/weak rock mass. The
depth of second layer varies from 3 to 7 m. The
bed rock was not found in this profile line.
The interpreted results are presented in the form of
geoseismic section of profile line is given in Fig. 5.
Profile Line No: 220002
The total length of the seismic profile line was 115
m and the geophone spacing was 5 m. On the basis
of geoseismic section of profile line No. 220002
(Fig. 6), the geophysical model suggests two
layers. The seismic velocity for first layer was
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Birendra Pratap & Alex Varughese

found to be 550 m/sec. Geophysical interpretation
as well as visual examination, it can be confirmed
that the first layer (top surface layer) consists of
river borne materials, boulders of size varying from
0.1 to 1.00 m and its interstices filled with coarser
fraction of sand, pebbles and gravels. It was also
observed that the materials were densely packed.
The seismic velocity of the second layer was found
to be 2200 m/sec, which is the general P-wave
velocity in weathered rock/weak rock mass. The
depth of second layer varies from 4 to 7 m. The
bed rock was not found in this profile line. The
interpreted results are presented in the form of
geoseismic section of profile line is given in Fig. 3.
The interpreted results are presented in the form of
geoseismic section of profile line is given in Fig. 6.

Fig. 5 Geoseismic section of profile No. 220001

Fig. 6 Geoseismic section of profile No. 220002

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 Application of Geophysical Seismic Refraction Survey for Geotechnical Site Investigation
5 CONCLUSIONS
The geophysical seismic refraction survey
conducted at Panchthirthi, District; Kathua,
Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) state, helped in
deciding and designing the foundation of
proposed dam of Ujh Multipurpose Project.
The seismic survey interpreted results are
presented in P-wave velocity profiles with
reduced level (RL) in the form of geoseismic
section.
Geoseismic section of profile lines on the left
bank confirmed the seismic velocity of the first
layer as 550- 1900 m/sec with thickness
varying from 4 m to 20 m.
Geophysical interpretation inferred the first
layer (top surface layer) as overburden
consisting of river borne materials filled with
sand, boulders, gravels and pebbles. It was also
observed that the materials were densely
packed.
The seismic velocity of the second layer was
found to be 2200 -3100 m/sec, interpreted as
Weathered rock/ weak rock mass.
The seismic velocity of third/ second layer was
4500 m/sec or more, interpreted as bed rock.
The depth of the bed rock varies from 13 to 26
m near the right bank closer to the mountain
and the same is deeper towards the centre of
the valley from 41to 45 m.
Geophysical survey can be effectively used for
geotechnical site investigation quickly and
economically for deciding the engineering
project site.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors are really grateful to Director and
Group Head RM-I, Central Soil and Materials
Research Station (CSMRS), New Delhi for his
kind cooperation and permission to publication of
this paper. The authors are also grateful to Sh. Shiv
Charan for their hard work in completing field
investigation.
REFERENCES
[1] GSI (2009), A short note on the feasibility
stage geotechnical assessment of Ujh
multipurpose project, Kathua district, Jammu
and Kashmir (J&K).
[2] CSMRS (2011), Report on seismic refraction
survey proposed dam site of Ujh multipurpose
project, District, Kathua Jammu and Kashmir
(J&K).
[3] Sjogren, Bengt (1984), Shallow refraction
seismic Chapman& Hall Atlas Copco, ABEM
(1983) Terraloc Seismic System, Bromma
Sweden.
[4] Varughese, Alex, Pratap, Birendra and Gupta,
S.L. (2011), Subsurface investigation by
seismic refraction survey on bouldary bed- a
case study, Proc. of Third Indian Rock
Conference, INDOROCK-201, 13-15 Oct.
2011, Roorkee, 145-149.
[5] CWPRS (2008), Monograph on seismic
refraction methods on engineering applications.
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