MASW is a non-destructive seismic method to evaluate material layer thickness, their shear

wave velocity (1D (depth) or 2D (depth or surface location)), poisson’s ratio, and density.
Need and Scope:
It is non-invasive technique that can be used for geotechnical characterization of near surface
material , which works on the principle of Dispersion of Rayleigh Waves.
Concept:
The process involves the generation of surface waves and collection of the same through a
network of geophones and data acquisition system (DAS). Surface waves can be generated by
an active source such as sledge-hammer or weight drop or can be collected from passive source
such as ambient natural, cultural and traffic activities. The records are collected by a
multichannel data acquisition system or a seismograph. The geophone receiver array deployed
with an appropriate geometrical configuration is connected to the seismograph through a
connecting spread cable, which transmits the recorded field data to the seismograph. The
multiple receiver system allows collating the characteristics of collected wavefield propagation
through the medium.
MASW method consist of Data Acquisition, Dispersion and Inversion analysis. Field Data is
recorded in the time-domain from 24 geophones, with the help of seismograph. This is done by
hammering near the starter geophone. Filtering of time domain signal is performed for the
required frequency range of 3 to 50 Hz to ensure that specified geophone frequency (4.5 Hz) lies
in this range. Filtered signal, geophones spacing and offset distance validate the quality of
dispersion curve (DC) which is the plot of Rayleigh –wave phase velocity and frequency. Picking
points for the maximum amplitude at a particular frequency gives trends of fundamental and
higher modes. Picking of dispersion mode is done by manual or automatic means, depending
upon the dispersive trends. Time domain signal is converted into frequency domain signal using
Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) and Summed amplitude of power spectrum in DC indicates
the pattern of occurring mode. The MASW initial model requires several values based on
theoretical judgment, such as velocity ratio (Vp/Vs), thickness (h) and density (ρ). This dataset,
which produces a theoretical DC is inverted using several iterations to match experimental DC.
Error minimization is done using misfit function after several observations in velocity profile. The
final model with the least error is chosen as the velocity profile. The use of MASW is increasing
being applied to geotechnical engineering for the measurements of dynamic properties, soil
profiling, microzonation and site response studies. The measured dynamic properties (Gmax)
can be used for the design of structure for earthquake/cyclic loading , settlement analysis and
also Vs is widely used in liquefaction assessment.

EXPERIMENTAL CONFIGURATION:
The method has two basic modes of surveying
(a) Active MASW
(b) Passive MASW
The depth of investigation achievable via active test is normally in the range of 20-30 m and
information of deeper layers of soil in the range of 100-120 m can be achieved via passive test
with the help of these mentioned below equipments.
 Geophones receivers of low frequency in the range of 4.5Hz

 DAQ/Seismograph 24 –bit Analog –to-Digital convertor

 Spread cable to connect geophones and seismograph

 Hammer cable for triggering the impact

 Sledge-hammer and striking plate

 WinMASW , Analysing & Processing Software

Methodology:
It is a three-step scheme for its processing.
 Data Acquisition : multichannel field records are acquired , which are often called as shot gather
or seismic gather, in conventional exploration.
 Data Filtration : Set frequency range of 2 to 50 Hz for 4.5 Hz geophone and filter data using Geo-
giga Software.
 Dispersion Analysis: the objective of this analysis is to obtain an accurate dispersion curve. In
general, dispersion curve is a plot between phase velocity of Rayleigh waves and frequency for a
particular mode.
 Inversion Analysis: it is an iterative approach which uses optimization technique to search for the
most probable earth model and results the final Shear-Wave Velocity Variation with Depth
(commonly termed as 1-D Vs profile).
 Analysis Methodology: WinMASW Platform have been used for the processing of raw field data.
 Interpretation: Overall procedure is to produce multiple 1-D shear velocity profile and combining
all we get 2-D shear wave velocity profile. Using 2-D we can interpret soil type, heteroginity ,
ground anamolies etc.
 Report: software generates the report containing the parameters for ground stiffness like –
Vs(shear wave), Vp(phase velocity), poisson’s ratio, Gs(shear modulus) etc.
 Results:
This output gives the variation of shear wave velocity profile with depth and the correlations can
be carried out with ground stiffness like shear modulus(G), SPT value(N) etc. Based on the mode
of survey (i) Active(≤30m) or (ii) Passive(upto 100m) it tells about the surface properties.
Limitations:
 Active tests give better resolution in shallow subsurface layers, however, for deeper layer
profiling it is ineffective.
 Passive test is capable of investigating deeper layers of subsoil which is quite useful over the
active method but although it results poor resolution in shallow layers.
 Near field and Far field effects can only be eliminated by combined use of active and passive test
which give broader frequency band and fair resolution both in lower and higher frequency
domain yielding confidence in the ultimate Vs profile.
 It is a site specific test so result comparison by other method is also needed.

Theory:
Multi-Channel Analysis of Surface Waves or shortly MASW is the updated geophysical method
which has been popular surface wave technique of subsoil exploration, attributed to its swiftness
and reliability over the techniques. The method utilizes the dispersive characteristics of Rayleigh
waves in heterogeneous soil medium and yields subsurface information in terms of Vs profile at
the surveyed area. This method can be further used to identify the buried objects and filled up
materials in the construction site.
MASW is based on the principle of Rayleigh wave dispersion which is generated by both
potential and kinetic energy in active and passive test on the ground surface. Rayleigh waves are
produced from the interference of P-waves and vertically polarized S-waves. They travel along or
near the surface with low velocity, high frequency(>2Hz) and high energy or amplitude. Particle
motion in Rayleigh wave follows Retrogade (anti-clockwise) motion in an elliptical shape ,where
the major axis is oriented in the vertical direction. This implies Rayleigh wave travels with
different propagation velocities at different frequencies. This property is utilized for obtaining a
dispersion curve and finally it is inverted with an efficient algorithm to obtain shear wave velocity
Vs profile.
Subsurface Void Detection using Seismic Tomographic Imaging