Seismic refraction survey for engineering site investigation at Springfield-Branson Regional Airport, Springfield, Missouri

Author

Thanop Thitimakorn

Abstract

“Seismic refraction methods have been extensively used in petroleum, mineral, and engineering investigations. Recent advances in equipment and interpretation techniques make seismic refraction methods highly effective and economical for obtaining data for engineering and environmental studies. During March 2001 a seismic refraction survey was conducted at Springfield-Branson Regional Airport. The objectives of this study were to determine the soil and bedrock velocities and were provided depth to bedrock. The refraction seismic data consist of three profiles and interpret using the Generalized Reciprocal Method (GRM).

Base on borehole and seismic refraction data, the soil layer (overburden) in this area consists primarily of firm to stiff red fat clay and gravelly clay with varying percentages of sand, chert and cobbles or small boulders. The average velocity of this layer as determined from the analysis of seismic refraction data varies from 3,800 to 4,000 feet per second. However, the soil layer is characterized by graded increase in velocity from the top to bottom as observed from seismic data (the slope of time-distance curves of this layer decrease when the distance between shot and geophone increase). This graded increasing velocity is due to weathering, compaction, and soil moisture.

The interpreted refraction seismic data indicate that limestone bedrock topography can vary significantly over a relative horizontal distance (100 ft). The average velocity of limestone bedrock was 17,500 feet per second in profile no.l, 17,000 feet per second in profile no.2, and 16,000 feet per second in profile no.3. The shallowest depth to bedrock as determined from seismic refraction data was 13 feet at the station 610 feet in profile no.l and the greatest depth was 38 feet at station 1,510 feet from the same profile.

The application of the seismic refraction technique to the determination of the depth and velocity of soil (overburden) layer and limestone bedrock has proven to be useful. In this study, the known depth to bedrock at borehole B12 enables us to interpret the seismic refraction data with confidence”—Abstract, pages iii-iv.

Advisor(s)

Anderson, Neil L. (Neil Lennart), 1954-

Committee Member(s)

Cardimona, Steven James, 1963-
Cawlfield, Jeffrey D.

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Geology and Geophysics

Publisher

University of Missouri--Rolla

Publication Date

Fall 2001

Pagination

ix, 51 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 48-50).

Geographic Coverage

Springfield, Missouri

Rights

© 2001 Thanop Thitimakorn, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Restricted Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Thesis Number

T 7975

Print OCLC #

49112394

Recommended Citation

Thitimakorn, Thanop, "Seismic refraction survey for engineering site investigation at Springfield-Branson Regional Airport, Springfield, Missouri" (2001). Masters Theses. 2089.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/masters_theses/2089