Engineering geophysics ? a geophysicist's view

Abstract

Most geophysicists are trained to solve exploration problems which are very different from engineering problems. To be effective an engineering geophysicist must maintain good communications with engineers and engineering geologists. The shortage of experienced engineering geophysicists in Australia, and the limited practical geophysical training provided to most earth science and engineering professionals, means that current engineering geophysical practice is frequently inadequate. Engineering geophysics has an important place in geotechnical investigations; however, greater attention must be given to the accuracy of interpretation and reporting of geophysical information in engineering terms. In recent years increasing legal action related to engineering construction contracts has meant that the checking of geophysical interpretations has become a matter of some importance. Re-interpretation of published engineering seismic refraction data using a variety of techniques includng computer ray-tracing and continuously variable velocity media, demonstrates that the original interpretation contained significant errors and inconsistencies, and that the alternative interpretations could lead to a quite different engineering assessment of the site conditions.