A Study to Monitor Microseismic Activity to Detect Sinkholes.
Abstract
A research program was undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of using seismic and acoustic emission/microseismic (AE/MS) techniques as a means of locating sinkhole-prone areas and monitoring current sinkhole stability. The report includes: a review of the Capital City Airport (Pennyslvania) sinkhole problem; a brief review of sinkhole phenomena and possible techniques for sinkhole detection and monitoring; a detailed description of field studies carried out at Capital City Airport site: a sinkhole monitoring philosophy based on results of the airport studies; and an outline of additional studies required for developing a prototype sinkhole-monitoring system. Results indicate that a combination of seismic an AE/MS techniques provide a feasible method for sinkhole detection and stability monitoring. Seismic techniques based on surface-wave attenuation provide a valid and convenient method for delineating sinkhole-prone areas. Conventional, low frequency AE/MS techniques have been found satisfactory for locating simulated sinkhole activity. Location of AE/MS activity using zonal techniques was found to be applicable to the problem of sinkhole location. However, high, rather than low, frequency AE/MS techniques may be more suitable for monitoring at such sites due to inherent background noise. Preliminary laboratory studies associated with development of dual-transducer waveguide systems for detecting AE/MS activity under runway pavements and in infield areas were encouraging.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 30, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA176072
Entities
People
- Edward J. Kimble
- H. R. Hardy Jr.
- Mardell E. Hager
- Marek Mrugala
- Robert M. Belesky
Organizations
- Pennsylvania State University