Soil profile analysis by vibration theory and the natural frequency : Applied on a case project

Abstract: To explore soil conditions at sites of infrastructure projects a number of geotechnical soundings are performed at appropriate intervals. Results are, in the nature of their set up, limited to the specific points at which the sounding is performed. To safely assume the area between bore holes a new method is applied and tried at the case railroad project Stenkumla – Dunsjö. By applying vibration theory in conjunction with the studied soils’ geodynamic properties the natural frequency for the soil can be calculated. The properties of the natural frequency also makes it possible to detect in vibration measurements. The method studied in this master thesis is that of utilizing the natural frequency of the soil to try and establish a soil profile from vibration measurements.  An important step in the method is to transform the vibration with the Fast Fourier Transform algorithm. This allows the comparison and analysis of natural frequencies. The measurements were performed by using and attaching an accelerometer to a train.  Results are partly transformed measurement data in frequency graphs and partly natural frequency calculations according to the site investigations. These are compared in the analysis section to try to confirm the methods’ reliability and to see if the method can be used to refine geotechnical investigations.  The reliability of the method is tested by watching for the expected frequencies from the calculations in the measurement data.  The method show more consistency closer to the ground surface rather at greater depths. It is also more reliable for stark contrast layers, i.e. if the soil layers have much of the same properties then it is difficult to spot the differing natural frequencies, as they are too similar.  In trying to establish the soil profile between bore holes the method is inconclusive, partly due to the fact that the investigated area consists of relatively alike soil layers that make the result graphs difficult to get information from. However, the suggested soil profiles from the analysis of this part of the master thesis bear resemblances to bore holes close by, so the method can be usable in some regard. Quality of measurement results would probably be better by running the train faster than was done in this master thesis. The quality of the analysis would also benefit from performing specific soundings to establish the soils’ geodynamic properties rather than using recommended empirical formulas as were used here.  The primary possible application for this method is to use it as a prioritizing tool at an early stage in infrastructure projects. Running the vibration measurement and getting a preliminary picture of the soil conditions could act as a way of steering investigations resources to where greater shifts in the data occur.