A study on new soil investigation method using seismic waves generated by dynamic penetration blows

In order to obtain more reliable data for the information on the ground, a new site Investigation method is proposed, in which seismic waves (S-waves) generated by the Swedish Ram Sounding Test (SRS) are used. It is indicated that the energy transferred from the hammer to the rod in SRS's is much more stable, compared to SPT's. A series of SRS with measurements of seismic waves at the ground surface were carried out to clarify the characteristics of seismic wave propagation in the ground. As the results of comparison between seismic S-wave amplitudes and $N_d$ (blow count for 20 cm penetration in SRS), it was found that amplitudes of S-waves generated by SRS correlate well with $N_d$. The amplitude of the S-wave is thought to be more adequate parameter for the soil strength and rigidity than $N_d$.