CROSS HOLE TEST

Objective
Cross hole tests are in-situ methods

• To measure dynamic soil/ rock properties

• To determine P- wave and S -wave velocities

• To identify soil stratification

• To determine shear modulus, G

Procedure
• Seismic cross-hole tests use two or more boreholes to measure wave propagation
velocities along horizontal paths.

• The simplest cross-hole test configuration consists of two boreholes, one of which
contains a source for causing wave generation and another has a geophone for recording
time travel

• By fixing both the source and the receiver at the same depth in each borehole, the wave
propagation velocity of the material between the boreholes at that depth is measured.

• By testing at various depths, a velocity profile can be obtained.

Fig : Seismic cross-hole test: direct measurement using two hole
configuration
(source: NPTEL- geotechnical earthquake engineering)
When possible, the use of three or more boreholes arranged in a straight line
is desirable for extensive investigations and better accuracy

(b) cross-sectional view

Multiple hole seismic cross-hole survey
(source: Stoke and Woods, 1972)
Contd.
In this case, the wave velocities can be calculated from the time intervals between
succeeding pairs of holes

• Eliminating most of the concern over triggering the timing instruments and the effect of
borehole casing and backfilling

• Overcoming the problems of site anisotropy by examining one direction only at a time
Points to be noted
• The diameter of the boreholes should be small to cause the least disturbance in the soil.
Casing in the boreholes will provide good coupling with the soil and transmission of waves.
Void spaces around the casing should be filled with weak cement slurry grout or dry sand.

• Boreholes should be vertical for the travel distance to be measured properly. In general, any
borehole 10 m or more in-depth should be surveyed using an inclinometer or other logging
device for determining verticality (Woods, 1978).

• The receivers must be oriented in the shearing mode and should be securely coupled to the
sides of the borehole.
Contd.
• Boreholes should be spaced as close as possible within the time resolution
characteristics of the recording equipment. Large spacings can lead to difficulties with
refracted waves arriving before the direct transmission through the intervening soil.
Spacings as close as 2-3 m can be used satisfactorily (Woods, 1978).

• The seismic source must be capable of generating predominantly one kind of wave.
Further, it must also be capable of repeating desired characteristics at a predetermined
energy level. Miller, Troncosco, and Brown (1975) have described a source that is
capable of .developing high amplitude shear waves. It consists of a falling weight that
impacts on a hydraulically expanded borehole anchor.
Seismic Up-Hole Survey
• The seismic up-hole survey is done by using only one borehole. In this method, the
receiver is placed at the surface, and shear waves are generated at different depths
within the borehole.

• This method gives the average value of wave velocity for the soil between the excitation
and the receivers if one receiver is used, or between the receivers.

• The major disadvantage in the seismic up-hole survey is that it is more difficult to
generate waves of the desired type.
Contd.

Fig. seismic up-hole survey with SPT(Goto et al.., 1973)

Seismic Down-hole Survey
• In this method, seismic waves are generated at the surface of the ground near the top of
the borehole, and travel times of the body waves between the source and the receivers
have been clamped to the borehole wall at predetermined depths are obtained.

• This also requires only one borehole.

• The main advantage of this method is that low-velocity layers can be detected even if
trapped between layers of greater velocity provided the geophone spacings are close
enough.
Contd.

Fig. seismic down-hole survey (Woods, 1978)

Reference
• Soil dynamics and machine foundations by Dr. Swami Saran(1999)

• Module 3: Dynamic soil properties(Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering, NPTEL)

Thank You