Case Histories of Geophysics Applied to Civil Engineering and Public Policy

These case histories will be of interest to both civil engineers and geophysicists. They document the use of a variety of geophysical methods in support of civil engineering projects. Geophysical methods presented include electrical, seismic, and magnetic (specifically Time Domain EM (TDEM), DC Resistivity, Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR), Electromagnetic, Seismic Tomography, Refraction, Reflection, Doppler Shift Sonar, Side Scan Sonar, and Magnetics). Whether mapping an aquifer for a public water supply, planning a waste disposal project, or investigating the causes of a landslide, geophysical techniques support engineers in their work to serve the public welfare. Transportation engineers will find that seismic tomography is an attractive alternative to the falling weight deflectometer (FWD) method of evaluating pavements. Lastly, both contractors and owners will be interested in how geophysics can reduce the risk in differing site condition (DSC) clauses by identifying site conditions that differ from what might be expected with only a casual surface examination.