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oa Timely and Accurate Subsurface Characterization for Transportation Applications through Seismic Tomography
- Publisher: European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers
- Source: Conference Proceedings, 19th EEGS Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems, Apr 2006, cp-181-00036
Abstract
Optimizing site characterization through all stages of highway construction and operation minimizes project risk and avoids/mitigates additional project costs related to unforeseen subsurface anomalies. The site characterization effort not only seeks to define the geomechanical environment for sound design, but also determines if major structural anomalies may impact the short- and long-term operational aspects of the construction. Developing the means to cost-effectively, yet comprehensively characterize site conditions over the entire design, construction, and operational term of a project is critical to minimizing project risks and, ultimately, project costs. This paper describes new developments in seismic tomography aimed at providing greatly improved subsurface characterization throughout all stages of project development. Three case studies will be provided of how both risks and costs were reduced through the application of this technology for major transportation projects including bridges and pier abutments, slopes and embankments, foundations, roads and highways, and ground preconditioning methods. More specifically the following case studies where the use of seismic tomography was illustrated will be described in details: § Case Study 1: Detection of abandoned coal mine entries beneath a retaining wall foundation along US Rout 24 near Peoria, Illinois. § Case Study 2: Location of karstic zones and evaluation of the effectiveness of jet grouting to improve the ground bearing capacity for the pier 3 Bill Emerson Bridge in the Mississippi River, Missouri. § Case Study 3: Imaging a collapsed tunnel below the location of caissons for an overpass over I-25 in Colorado.