Impact Factor (2025): 6.9
DOI Prefix: 10.47001/IRJIET
This research work was carried out
with the aim of using average shear wave velocity of the top 30 m (Vs30),
technique to categorize the soil, and ascertain the probable resistance or
damage that the structure placed on it could suffer in the event of damaging
earthquake. In a bid to achieve this, downhole seismic survey was carried out
in eight boreholes within the same site, all drilled to 30 m depth. The field
procedure used involves lowering of hydrophone into the borehole at an interval
of 1 m, and striking a sledge hammer on base plate at a fixed distance of 3 m
to generate seismic signals. The data were processed and the results revealed
that, the distribution of average shear wave velocity of the top 30 m (Vs30) is
not always even within a given site; instead, you have regions with low Vs30,
and regions with high Vs30. The results indicated the presence of overburden
layer (lose sand layer) within the site under investigation, and also revealed
that in most instances, regions with low Vs30 match up with regions with thick
overburden, and regions with high Vs30 correspond with regions with thin
overburden cover. The research has shown that, in the event of damaging
earthquake the regions with low Vs30 and relatively thick overburden cover will
experience more of the amplification of the low frequency seismic waves, and
consequently more damage to structures erected within that vicinity. Hence,
regions with low Vs30 and thick overburden cover will require engineering
remediation to improve its resistance to shaking and load bearing capacity, and
to reduce the amplification of low frequency seismic waves in the event of
ground shaking induced by an earthquake.
Country : Nigeria
IRJIET, Volume 5, Issue 6, June 2021 pp. 1-4