• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.190-195
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• 2013

We estimated near-surface shear-wave velocity (${\nu}_s$) at the Hwacheon seismic station using a geologic log of a well, microtremors recorded during a period of 56 days, and records of three teleseismic events ($M_w{\geq}6.0$). The vs of the 10-m thick soil layer (${\nu}^s_s$= 296 m/s) was determined from horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios of microtremors recorded at the surface. The average ${\nu}_s$ ($\bar{\nu}_s$= 1,309 m/s) from the surface to the 96-m depth of a borehole sensor, was computed using spectral coherence analyses of data recorded by surface- and borehole-sensors for the three teleseismic events. Using these calculated values of ${\nu}^s_s$ and $\bar{\nu}_s$, the computed bedrock ${\nu}_s$ is 2,150 m/s and the time-averaged ${\nu}_s$ to a 30-m depth is 696 m/s. Accordingly the Hwacheon seismic station is regarded as a relatively good site. The deduced near-surface ${\nu}_s$ can be used for further quantitative evaluation of site amplification and earthquake hazard.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.73-85
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• 2006

Array observations of the vertical component of microtremors are frequently conducted to estimate a subsurface layered-earth structure on the assumption that microtremors consist predominantly of the fundamental mode Rayleigh waves. As a useful tool in the data collection, processing and analysis, the spatial autocorrelation (SPAC) method is widely used, which in practice requires a circle array consisting of M circumferential stations and one centre station (called "M-station circle array", where M is the number of stations). The present paper considers the minimum number of stations required for a circle array for efficient data collection in terms of analytical efficacy and field effort. This study first rearranges the theoretical background of the SPAC algorithm, in which the SPAC coefficient for a circle array with M infinite is solely expressed as the Bessel function, $J_0(rk)$ (r is the radius and k the wavenumber). Secondly, the SPAC coefficient including error terms independent of the microtremor energy field for an M-station circle array is analytically derived within a constraint for the wave direction across the array, and is numerically evaluated in respect of these error terms. The main results of the evaluation are: 1) that the 3-station circle array when compared with other 4-, 5-, and 9-station arrays is the most efficient and favourable for observation of microtremors if the SPAC coefficients are used up to a frequency at which the coefficient takes the first minimum value, and 2) that the Nyquist wavenumber is the most influential factor that determines the upper limit of the frequency range up to which the valid SPAC coefficient can be estimated.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.380-392
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• 2002

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the usage of microtremor in estimation of subsurface structure and ground response to strong ground motion. To accomplish the purpose, the current status of microtremor study are reviewed and microtremors recorded at several stations are analysed. First of all, the stability of microtremor is examined through the analysis of microtremors recorded for 80 seconds per hour during the time from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. for eight hours at night time. It is found that the shape of microtremor spectra of low frequency below 10Hz is approximately invariable with time and the spectra contain informations about subsurface structure. The subsurface structures estimated from the predominant frequency determined from the recorded microtremors are compared with the known ones from geophysical surveys at several stations in Kyungju. The comparison of structures shows rough agreements at most stations. Horizontal to vertical spectral ratio(HVSR) technique for microtremor has been proposed as an indirect method to determine ground response to strong ground motion. The HVSR for microtremors recorded in Kyungju is calculated and compared with theoretical transfer function calculated from the known structures. The comparison shows rough coincidence of the peak frequency of spectra between them.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.109-120
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• 1991

Applications of microtremor to geological engineering are widely reviewed and observed microtremors are processed to show evidences of close relationship between the predominant periods of microtremor and underground structure. The ground vibrates continuously at all times and the elastic vibration is called microtremor (0.5-20Hz) or microseisms (0.01-0.1Hz) according to their frequency range. The vibration is believed to have propagative nature like those of the dispersive surface waves or multireflected shear waves. Microtremors were recorded at selected thress places of which subsoil structures are well distinguished in the Kyongsang Sedimentary Basin. It is found that the underground structures estimated from microtremor analysis coincide well with the known structures. The microtremor analysis of the long period range can be an inexpensive and effective tool in geological engineering for the evaluation of the underground structure, site-specific reponse spectrum, and seismic microzonations.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 1999.10a
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• pp.375-382
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• 1999

The fundamental vibration period of a shearwall apartments cannot estimate accurately by means of empirical formulas specified in present codes, The objective of this paper is to estimate the period of a shearwall apartments by microtremor measurement. A micretremor is the continuous small oscillation of the ground cause by traffic and operation machinery. Microtremors are extensively studied primarily in Japan to estimate conveniently subsurface structures of soil deposits and building vibrations. It is obtained the results that the fundamental periods estimated by microtremor measurement are shorter than those values by dynamic analysis of building.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2012

To evaluate methods of determining near-surface shear-wave velocities (${\nu}_s$), we derived dispersion curves of Rayleigh waves generated by both passive and active sources in Chuncheon, Korea. Microtremors were recorded for 5 minutes in each of four triangular arrays with radii of 5 ~ 40 m. Those data were analyzed using the Spatial Autocorrelation method. Rayleigh waves were also generated by a hammer source and recorded in the same area for 2 s using 24 4.5-Hz geophones. Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves was applied to those data. Velocity spectra were derived with relatively high signal-to-noise ratios in the frequency ranges of 7 ~ 19 and 11 ~ 50 Hz for the microtremors and synthetically generated Rayleigh waves, respectively. The resultant dispersion curves were combined as one and then input to inversion to derive shear wave velocities that were compared with a lithology log from a nearby well. Shearwave velocities in the top soil and soft-rock layers are almost constant with values of 221 and 846 m/s, respectively; while the inverse-modeled ${\nu}_s$ increases linearly in the gravelly sand, cobbles, and weathered-rock layers. If rock type is classified based on shear-wave velocity, the inversion-derived boundary between weathered-rock and soft rock may be about 5 m deeper than in the well log.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.144-152
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• 2010

To study the thickness variation of volcanic rocks of Jeju Island, microtremor data were recorded at eight and four sites using short-period and broadband seismometers, respectively, for 30 ~ 60 minutes with a 100 Hz sampling rate. During the daytime, these records show increased cultural noise at frequencies above 1.8 Hz. Natural noise occurs in the frequency range of 0.4 to 0.8 Hz in both daytime and nighttime data. Predominant frequencies determined by the H/V spectral-ratio method are in the range of 0.2 ~ 0.7 Hz. These frequencies decrease gradually as the central part of the Mt. Halla is approached. This may indicate that the basement is warped downward beneath the center of the island, which is consistent with previous gravimetric and magnetic models. Assuming an average shear-wave velocity of 1,800 m/s for the overburden basalts, the depths to basement are estimated to be between 640 and 2,140 m.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.47-60
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• 2007

Conventional active surface wave measurements performed using a transient or continuous source are often limited in the maximum depth of penetration due to the difficulty of generating low-frequency energy with reasonably portable sources. This limitation may inhibit accurate seismic site response calculations because of the inability to define deeper subsurface structure. By measuring surface wave generated by passive sources including microtremors and cultural noise, it is possible to overcome this problem and develop soil stiffness profiles to much larger depth. Reliability of dispersion estimates from the passive surface wave measurements is critical to present reliable shear wave velocity profiles and can be improved by the measurements and analyses of passive surface waves based on correct understanding of systematic errors included in passive dispersion data. In this study, the systematic errors caused by poor wavenumber resolution and energy leakage into sidelobes in passive tests are mainly explored. Recommendations for reliable passive surface wave measurements and dispersion estimates are presented and illustrated at a site in San Jose, California, U.S.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.594-610
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• 2023

The horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) has been widely applied to evaluate ground characteristics such as site response and thickness of the soft sedimentary layer on top of the bedrock via dominant frequencies and amplification factors of microtremors. Eight seismic stations were selected to investigate the HVSR results at the surface and at varying depths, and their variations due to wind speeds. These stations are equipped with seismic sensors on the surface and downhole(s) at depths. The borehole data analysis reveals that the geological condition at burial depth influences the HVSR results. Their dominant frequencies indicate the entire thickness of the soft layer, not the thickness to the bottom or top of the soft sedimentary layer from the seismometer burial depth. Analysis of the background noise observed at the surface showed that the resonance frequency estimation varied with wind speed changes. In the studied cases, the background noise observed in the sedimentary layer at depths of 20 to 66 meters yielded stable and consistent resonance frequency estimation regardless of wind speed fluctuations. The results of the seismic sensors buried deeper than 100 meters are unstable. The result indicates that the background noise from the buried seismometer at shallow depths (~0.3 m) under light wind conditions (wind speeds less than 3 m/s) is sufficient to achieve the purpose of the HVSR analysis.