Shear-wave-velocity profiling of a test embankment for a high-speed rail project using the spectral-analysis-of-surface-waves (SASW) method

Nondestructive seismic testing was conducted at 24 locations on and around the embankment to evaluate the compaction effort and lateral variabilities at the site. This embankment was being constructed as a test embankment for a high-speed railroad section in the USA. Different compaction techniques were used in different embankment areas, and nuclear-gauge density measurements were performed to evaluate the compaction quality in all areas. Additionally, Spectral-Analysis-of-Surface-Waves (SASW) testing was performed to determine the Vs profiles at numerous locations on and around the embankment. The Vs values determined from the SASW testing were used to compare and evaluate areas where different compaction methods were used, as well as to help understand the overall site. The embankment was divided into three zones. In each zone, five shorter and one longer SASW arrays on top of the embankment were used to determine the Vs profiles. Also, in each zone, Vs profiles in the natural soil were determined using two additional long SASW arrays on the natural ground, one array on each longitudinal side of the embankment. These 24 Vs profiles on and around the embankment were used to evaluate lateral variability in the shear stiffnesses of the geotechnical materials at the site.