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What is MASW?
MASW is an acronym of Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves. It is a seismic exploration
technique first introduced in GEOPHYSICS by
Park et al., (1999). It evaluates ground stiffness by measuring shear-wave velocity (Vs) of
subsurface in 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D for various types of geotechnical engineering projects in the
most common depth range of 0-30 meters.
MASW is an acronym of Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves. It is a seismic exploration
technique first introduced in GEOPHYSICS by
Park et al., (1999). It evaluates ground stiffness by measuring shear-wave velocity (Vs) of
subsurface in 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D for various types of geotechnical engineering projects in the
most common depth range of 0-30 meters.
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MASW first measures seismic surface waves generated from various types of seismic sources—such as sledge hammer—analyzes the
propagation velocities of those surface waves, and then finally deduces shear-wave velocity (Vs) variations below the surveyed area that is most
responsible for the analyzed propagation velocity pattern of surface waves. Shear-wave velocity (Vs) is one of the elastic constants and closely
related to Young’s and shear moduli. Under most circumstances, Vs is a direct indicator of the ground strength (stiffness) and therefore
commonly used to derive load-bearing capacity.
Overall procedure to produce a typical 2D S-velocity (Vs) cross section consists of collecting multichannel seismic records at multiple locations as
illustrated below. Each record then generates a 1-D (depth) velocity (Vs) profile, multiple of which will construct the final 2D cross section.
propagation velocities of those surface waves, and then finally deduces shear-wave velocity (Vs) variations below the surveyed area that is most
responsible for the analyzed propagation velocity pattern of surface waves. Shear-wave velocity (Vs) is one of the elastic constants and closely
related to Young’s and shear moduli. Under most circumstances, Vs is a direct indicator of the ground strength (stiffness) and therefore
commonly used to derive load-bearing capacity.
Overall procedure to produce a typical 2D S-velocity (Vs) cross section consists of collecting multichannel seismic records at multiple locations as
illustrated below. Each record then generates a 1-D (depth) velocity (Vs) profile, multiple of which will construct the final 2D cross section.
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Park Seismic LLC, Shelton, Connecticut (contact@parkseismic.com)