Groundwatch PH

Seismic Surveys

Seismic Refraction and MASW Survey

Groundwatch applies seismic refraction and MASW for design-stage ground intelligence where bedrock depth, stiffness, rippability, and site class matter.

Definition

What this method is

Seismic methods use wave travel times and surface-wave dispersion to characterize subsurface layering, stiffness, and structural variation.

Groundwatch applies seismic refraction and MASW for design-stage ground intelligence where bedrock depth, stiffness, rippability, and site class matter.

How It Works

From field measurement to interpreted model

  1. 1A controlled source generates seismic energy along the survey line.
  2. 2Receivers capture arrival times and waveform response as the waves travel through the ground.
  3. 3Processing converts the signals into velocity sections and interpreted stiffness profiles.

When to Use

Best-fit conditions for this method

  • Bedrock and overburden mapping before earthworks
  • Vs profiling and site classification support for design-stage studies
  • Rockhead and rippability assessment where excavation planning matters

What It Can Help Identify

Subsurface features and signals

  • Layer boundaries and velocity contrasts
  • Potential weak, weathered, or fractured zones
  • Depth trends relevant to foundation and excavation planning

Deliverables

What you receive

  • Acquisition geometry and QC summary
  • Refraction / MASW velocity sections and interpreted profiles
  • Recommendations for follow-up borehole or test-pit work

Typical Outputs

What the data looks like

  • Refraction velocity sections
  • MASW shear-wave profiles
  • Rippability and site-class notes

Applications

Common applications in the Philippines

Infrastructure corridor studies and road widening

Renewable energy site screening and pad planning

Mining, slope-risk, and geohazard baseline programs

Method Limitations

What this method cannot do alone

  • Noise, access constraints, and poor sensor coupling can reduce data quality.
  • Interpretation is model-based and should be correlated with boreholes or other direct investigation data.

Geophysical results are interpreted models based on measured physical property contrasts. Results should be correlated with boreholes, test pits, drilling, geological mapping, laboratory data, or other direct investigation methods where required.

Related Services

Methods and applications that work together

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Is seismic suitable in urban or active work sites?

It can be, but survey design must account for traffic, vibration, and access constraints to maintain usable data quality.

Do you provide MASW and refraction together?

Yes. Combined acquisition can improve interpretation confidence when the project needs both layer depth and stiffness context from one program.

What is the advantage of combining refraction and MASW?

Combined interpretation gives both rockhead / layer-depth context and shear-wave velocity information, which is often more useful than either method alone for design decisions.

Get in touch

Plan a seismic investigation

Send your line constraints, target depth, and design objective so we can recommend seismic refraction, MASW, or a combined program.

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