Nonlinear data processing method for the signal enhancement of GPR data

An alternative data processing procedure is proposed in this paper for the purpose of enhancing the signal/noise (S/N) ratio of ground penetrating radar (GPR) data. The processing methodology is achieved by performing the logarithmic transform in conjunction with the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD), a new nonlinear data analysis method in signal processing. The synthetic model study and field example indicate that the logarithmic transform is effective in alleviating the attenuation problem. Additionally, the spectrogram obtained from Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) shows that the decomposition sensitivity of the EEMD method is greatly improved with the aid of the logarithmic transform. This new method allows us to extract the signal components from noisy GPR data efficiently. The success of this study suggests a possible nonlinear analysis application in future GPR investigation, particularly in the filter design and gain correction.     

Oscillatory soil response and liquefaction in an unsaturated layered seabed

The subject of wave-induced soil response in a real seabed has attracted the attention of geotechnical and coastal engineers over the last three decades, for which several basic theories have been developed. However, the evaluation of soil liquefaction has not been attempted theoretically in a seabed with multiple sub-layers, in which homogeneity in soil properties can be assumed within each layer. In this study, a semi-analytical approach is presented for obtaining solutions for the pore pressure and effective stresses in a non-cohesive layered seabed of finite thickness subject to a system of three-dimensional waves. Based on the numerical results for a layered seabed, influences of soil characteristics (relative layer thickness, permeability ratio and shear modulus) on seabed responses are described. Special attention is given to the effect of placing a coarser material as a top layer for protecting an underlayer of finer sediment. Although only a three-layered seabed is explicitly solved in this study, the procedure outlined can readily be extended to a multi-layered soil system. The three-dimensional solutions can also be applied to the two-dimensional progressive or standing wave systems.     

Wave‐induced seepage flux into anisotropic seabeds

Considerable effort has been devoted to quantifying the wave‐induced soil response in a porous seabed in the last few decades. Most previous investigations have focused on the analysis of pore pressure and effective stresses within isotropic sediments, despite strong evidence of anisotropic soil behaviour reported in the literature. Furthermore, the seepage flux, which is important in the context of contaminant transport, has not been examined. In this paper, we focus on water wave‐driven seepage in anisotropic marine sediments of finite thickness. The numerical results predict that the effects of hydraulic anisotropy and anisotropic soil behaviour on the wave‐driven seepage in marine sediment are significant. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application of sub-image multiresolution analysis of Ground-penetrating radar data in a study of shallow structures

Fourier-based algorithms originally developed for the processing of seismic data are applied routinely in the Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) data processing, but these conventional methods of data processing may result in an abundance of spurious harmonics without any geological meaning. We propose a new approach in this study based essentially on multiresolution wavelet analysis (MRA) for GPR noise suppression. The 2D GPR section is similar to an image in all aspects if we consider each data point of the GPR section to be an image pixel in general. This technique is an image analysis with sub-image decomposition. We start from the basic image decomposition procedure using conventional MRA approach and establish the filter bank accordingly. With reasonable knowledge of data and noise and the basic assumption of the target, it is possible to determine the components with high S/N ratio and eliminate noisy components. The MRA procedure is performed further for the components containing both signal and noise. We treated the selected component as an original image and applied the MRA procedure again to that single component with a mother wavelet of higher resolution. This recursive procedure with finer input allows us to extract features or noise events from GPR data more effectively than conventional process.To assess the performance of the MRA filtering method, we first test this method on a simple synthetic model and then on experimental data acquired from a control site using 400 MHz GPR system. A comparison of results from our method and from conventional filtering techniques demonstrates the effectiveness of the sub-image MRA method, particularly in removing ringing noise and scattering events. Field study was carried out in a trenched fault zone where a faulting structure was present at shallow depths ready for understanding the feasibility of improving the data S/N ratio by applying the sub-image multiresolution analysis. In contrast to the conventional methods, the MRA sub-image filtering technique provides an overall improvement in image quality of the data as shown in the field study.     

Slip monitoring of a dip-slope and runout simulation by the discrete element method: a case study at the Huafan University campus in northern Taiwan

Slope failure is a widely observed phenomenon in the mountainous areas in Taiwan due to rainy climatic and fragile geological conditions. Landslides easily occur after intense rainfall, especially from typhoons, and, accordingly, cause a great loss of human life and property. At the northern end of the Western Foothill belt in northern Taiwan, Huafan University is founded on a dip-slope about 20° toward the southwest composed of early Miocene alternations of sandstone and shale. Data from continuous monitoring using inclinometers and groundwater gauges reveal that 6–10 mm/month of slope creeping occurs, and a potential sliding surface is then detected about 10–40 m beneath the slope surface. To understand the potential runout process of the dip-slope failure at the campus, particle flow code 3D models based on a discrete element method are applied in this study. Results of the simulation reveal a critical value of the friction coefficient to be 0.13 and that more than 90% of the campus buildings will slide down in 100 s when the friction coefficient is reduced to half the critical value. The weakening of the shear zone due to the rise of groundwater during rainstorms is assumed to be the main factor. Some suggestions for preventing landslide disasters are to construct catchpits to drain runoff and lower the groundwater table and to install a sufficient number of ground anchors and retaining walls to stabilize the slope.     

Wave-induced soil response in an unsaturated anisotropic seabed of finite thickness

An analytical solution for the wave-induced soil response is developed for a seabed of finite thickness subject to a three-dimensional (3-D) wave system produced by two intersecting waves of equal properties. These 3-D exact solutions for the pore pressure and effective stresses, proposed for a non-cohesive soil matrix of finite depth in a homogeneously unsaturated and anisotropic condition, are readily reducible to the limiting two-dimensional cases of progressive and standing waves, for which no explicit solutions are available for finite thickness. The effects of soil isotropy, degree of saturation, seabed thickness and grain size on the wave-induced pore pressure are discussed in detail. The explicit solutions presented in this study for the wave-induced pore pressure and effective stresses should benefit the laboratory experiments and field monitoring programs carried out in soil of finite depth.     

A very low frequency-electromagnetic study of the geo-environmental hazardous areas in Taiwan

This study utilized the very low frequency-electromagnetic (VLF-EM) technique, a passive electromagnetic prospecting method working in the very low frequency range (15–30 KHz) to investigate the geo-environmental problems of shallow, low conductivity sedimentary layers in Taiwan. Field examples successfully demonstrate the advantages of using this method in locating non-mineralized shallow fault zones. The zero-crossings of in-phase and quadrature measurements in 2-D contour maps clearly locate the position of subsurface anomalous source bodies. Further analysis of the measured VLF single profile peaks reveals that this method is useful in determining subsurface structures and conductivity. The advantages of nondestructive, noninvasive, and low consumption of power make this method extremely friendly to the environment. The authors anticipate this method will have more profound impacts on the interactions between prospecting technology and the earth.     

Model experiments for propellant embedded rock anchors

Summary Propellant embedded anchors can be used to secure offshore platforms by rapidly anchoring them in seafloor rock. Field tests conducted by the U.S. Navy showed inconsistent results. A more promising approach seems to be modelling of anchor penetration and pullout resistance in jointed rock based on first principles.In this paper, physical model tests are described with which the physical phenomena are investigated and which will serve as a basis for predictive analytical models. The laboratory experiments, conducted with fasteners to model the anchors and with jointed and intact rock models made from gypsum, showed that basic intact material properties, joint configuration and individual joint properties influence penetration and pullout resistance. If the behavior is brittle, penetration is accompanied by cracking, otherwise ductile continuum deformation occurs. Jointing affects cracking in that closer joint spacing restricts cracking to fewer joint bounded plates but increases the number of cracks in the individual plate. The increased cracking intensity leads to a reduced pullout resistance.For purposes of analytical modelling, one can therefore, in a first step, build upon established relations between intact meterial, joint geometry and individual joint characteristics.