ASTM_D_5777_-_18.pdf

Designation:D577718Standard Guide forUsing the Seismic Refraction Method for SubsurfaceInvestigation1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5777;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 Purpose and ApplicationThis guide covers theequipment,field procedures,and interpretation methods for theassessment of subsurface conditions using the seismic refrac-tion method.Seismic refraction measurements as described inthis guide are applicable in mapping subsurface conditions forvarious uses including geologic,geotechnical,hydrologic,environmental(1),mineral exploration,petroleum exploration,and archaeological investigations.The seismic refractionmethod is used to map geologic conditions including depth ofbedrock,or the water table,stratigraphy,lithology,structure,and fractures or all of these.The calculated seismic wavevelocity is related to mechanical material properties.Therefore,characterization of the material(type of rock,degree ofweathering,and rippability)is made on the basis of seismicvelocity and other geologic information.1.1.1 The geotechnical industry uses English or SI units.1.2 Limitations:1.2.1 This guide provides an overview of the seismicrefraction method using compressional(P)waves.It does notaddress the details of the seismic refraction theory,fieldprocedures,or interpretation of the data.Numerous referencesare included for that purpose and are considered an essentialpart of this guide.It is recommended that the user of theseismic refraction method be familiar with the relevant mate-rial in this guide and the references cited in the text and withappropriate ASTM standards cited in 2.1.1.2.2 This guide is limited to the commonly used approachto seismic refraction measurements made on land.The seismicrefraction method can be adapted for a number of special uses,on land,within a borehole and on water.However,a discussionof these other adaptations of seismic refraction measurementsis not included in this guide.1.2.3 There are certain cases in which shear waves need tobe measured to satisfy project requirements.The measurementof seismic shear waves is a subset of seismic refraction.Thisguide is not intended to include this topic and focuses only onP wave measurements.1.2.4 The approaches suggested in this guide for the seismicrefraction method are commonly used,widely accepted,andproven;however,other approaches or modifications to theseismic refraction method that are technically sound may besubstituted.1.2.5 Technical limitations and interferences of the seismicrefraction method are discussed in D420,D653,D2845,D4428/D4428M,D5088,D5730,D5753,D6235,and D6429.1.3 Precautions:1.3.1 It is the responsibility of the user of this guide tofollow any precautions within the equipment manufacturersrecommendations,establish appropriate health and safetypractices,and consider the safety and regulatory implicationswhen explosives are used.1.3.2 If the method is applied at sites with hazardousmaterials,operations,or equipment,it is the responsibility ofthe user of this guide to establish appropriate safety and healthpractices and determine the applicability of any regulationsprior to use.1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety,health,and environmental practices and deter-mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.1.5 This guide offers an organized collection of informationor a series of options and does not recommend a specificcourse of action.This document cannot replace education orexperience and should be used in conjunction with professionaljudgment.Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in allcircumstances.This ASTM standard is not intended to repre-sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy ofa given professional service must be judged,nor should thisdocument be applied without consideration of a projects manyunique aspects.The word“Standard”in the title of this guidemeans only that the document has been approved through theASTM consensus process.1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-ization established in the Decision on Principles for the1This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rockand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.01 on Surface and SubsurfaceCharacterization.Current edition approved Dec.15,2018.Published January 2019.Originallyapproved in 1995.Last previous edition approved in 2011 as D5777 00(2011)1.DOI:10.1520/D5777-18.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United S