Investigation on Elastic Wave Propagation Characteristics in Small Scale Model Ground with a Cavity
Investigation on Elastic Wave Propagation Characteristics in Small Scale Model Ground with a Cavity
Ground sinkholes in urban areas pose a significant risk, necessitating technology for early cavity detection. This study aims to establish an effective in-tunnel exploration method using SH-waves. A two-step experimental investigation was conducted. Step 1 (Small-Scale Model Test): A laboratory-scale model test under simplified conditions confirmed the basic principle that SH-waves are reflected from a cavity's surface. Step 2 (Large-Scale Test): A large-scale field experiment was conducted, simulating a concrete tunnel structure over sandy silt ground with two embedded polystyrene foam cavities (one large, one small). The results from the large-scale test varied by source location; reflections were recorded from the larger cavity when sourced nearby, while diffracted waves from the large cavity were observed when sourcing over the small cavity. These combined results suggest the effectiveness of using in-tunnel SH-wave surveys, highlighting the utility of both reflected and diffracted waves.
Hiroshi Yuki; Shinichiro WATANABE; Yutaro Hara; Reiko Kuwano
11th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (ICPMG2026)
Session 3: Resilient geotechnical infrastructure
https://doi.org/10.53243/ICPMG2026-251