Rivers Higher Technological Institute

"English"

TEST

Teacher:

Student’s name:

JULIO CESAR HURTADO CRUZ

Career: Eng. Civil

INTRODUCTION

The location of objects and structures immersed in the

subsoil is based on the detection of some property of
said objects or structures that differentiates them from
the environment that surrounds them. Geophysical
methods are based on the study of physical properties.
On many occasions it is advisable that the location
does not involve intensive mechanical work, since the
interest of the objects does not justify the cost of said
work, and even because the simple execution of certain
mechanical tasks can endanger the very structures that
are of interest to locate ( case of pipes or
archaeological remains).

The possibility of a location based exclusively on

measurements made from the surface can open the
door to many applications where there are cost and risk
restrictions. The exploitation of the difference between
the properties of materials of economic interest and the
rest of the soil is common in the exploration of the
subsoil (petroleum, groundwater, minerals, etc.).
Support surveys for Civil Engineering are also carried
out, such as the study of the foundation conditions of
dams or buildings, or of the materials to be extracted
for the construction of a new road. There are also other
applications, such as the orientation of archaeological
excavations or the location of underground galleries.
Geophysical exploration comprises a wide range of
disciplines, among which we can mention: geology,
physics, chemistry and electronics.
Geology deals with the study of the history and
development of the Earth through the observation and
study of rocks.

GROWTH

The geophysical method are techniques that allow us to

know the physical properties of the subsoil for various
applications, such as the location of groundwater, such
as the delineation of contaminated soils and even to
know the quality of soil for construction.
“Seismic method” The seismic methods of geophysical
prospecting are based on the study of the propagation
of elastic waves in the medium. The seismic signal,
which can be generated artificially (hammer, falling
weights,...) or be natural (passive seismic), is recorded
by sensors (geophones) suitably distributed on the
ground.
The main seismic methods are:
Refraction seismic, based on the study of direct and
critically refracted waves, defines the different layers
present in the medium with their seismic velocities as
well as zones of alteration, faults, fractures, fills,
landslides,... Widely applied geophysical technique in
civil works and geotechnics since, in addition to the
aforementioned, it allows defining the degrees of
scalability and reliability of the materials.
Reflection seismic, based on the study of reflected
waves, allows defining objectives very similar to
refraction but reaching much higher depths (several
kilometers)
.Surface seismic tomography, whose development in
the field is similar to refraction seismic but with a
higher density of trigger points, allows obtaining,
through an iterative process, seismic velocity inversion
models starting from an initial model.
REMI passive seismic is based on the spectral analysis
of surface waves to define the S-wave velocity
distribution (Vs) with depth. This technique is widely
applied in environments with strong seismic noise
(urban environment, areas with traffic or construction
sites, etc.) and is also used as a complement to
techniques that define the seismic velocity of the P
wave (Vp).
Seismic tomography in boreholes allows us to define
with great precision the distribution of seismic
velocities Vp between two boreholes by means of a
high density of trigger point-receiver pairs.
Parallel seismic is a borehole seismic test that allows
defining the depth of buried construction elements
(walls, screens, piles,...) thanks to the sudden change in
seismic velocity that occurs at its limit.
“Potential Methods”
The potential methods of geophysical prospecting
include the techniques that use potential fields, such as
gravimetric or magnetic, in the study of the subsoil.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, there are dozens of geophysical methods

with which different physical properties of the subsoil
can be determined for various purposes. Of course,
each of them with its own scope and limitations.
The determination of the best prospecting method is
carried out by a professional in the area. It was possible
to understand the different methods mentioned above,
concluding that these methods provide us with
information about the composition of the subsoil
through some physical property measured from the
earth's surface, which can be the speed of a mechanical
wave, or variations of a gravitational field produced by
density differences, or the intensity of a current
associated with the greater or lesser ease of
propagation of electric charges. Geophysical
prospecting has gained an important place to solve
various problems associated with defining the physical
and mechanical conditions of subsurface geological
structures; monitor contamination plumes, evaluate
mechanical properties of geological materials, locate
cavities or vertical contacts that may endanger civil
works, ensure economic investments; recognize filling
areas, among others. In the area of civil engineering,
the most widely used prospecting and prospecting
techniques are: geoelectricity, seismology, gravimetry,
the ground-penetrating radar technique, and
geophysical well logs.