1. ERDC Knowledge Core
2. Pre - Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)
3. Waterways Experiment Station (WES) - (3/1/1937 - 9/30/1999)
4. Waterways Experiment Station
5. Technical Publication
6. Technical Memorandum

Title:	Seismic and resistivity geophysical exploration methods
Authors:	United States. Mississippi River Commission. U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station.
Keywords:	Seismic refraction method Earth resistance Soil surveys--Geophysical methods
Publisher:	U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station. Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.)
Description:	Technical memorandum Foreword: The utilization of geophysical exploration methods for determining the character and depth of the alluvium in the lower Mississippi valley has long been held by engineers as an unpromising undertaking. Recently, the demand for information regarding subsurface conditions in this valley has become of such importance in connection with the maintenance of the vast levee system and. the stabilization of the navigable channel of the Mississippi River as to justify submitting two well-known geophysical methods to practical tests. The methods tested were the seismic refraction method and the electric resistivity method. In each instance the results obtained were checked by reference to the logs of borings. The varying degree of accuracy obtained and the advantages and limitations observed as set forth in these pages are believed to be of more than ordinary interest to the civil engineering profession. In order that the fundamental concepts involved may be understandable to the reader, two appendices are added describing the basic processes involved in exploration by seismic refraction and electric resistivity, respectively. The investigation was conducted by the Soil Mechanics Division of the U. S. Waterways Experiment Station under the supervision of W. J. Turnbull, Senior Engineer, Chief of Division. The planning and conduct of the exploration, the interpretation of all data, and the preparation of this report were the direct responsibility of W. R. Perret, Assistant Physicist. The seismic exploration was accomplished by the Experiment Station seismograph party, which included W. M. Mullinnix and F. L. Bingham, Assistant Engineering Aides, R. T. Garner, Jr., Engineering Aide, and J. T. Brothers, Junior Engineering Aide (temporary). Analysis of the resistivity data was performed by Miss Virginia Thompson, Junior Engineer. The electric resistivity exploration was conducted by John Trantina, Inspector (Core Drilling), of the U. S. Engineer Office, Omaha, Nebraska, with apparatus lent by that office. Mr. Trantina made all field interpretations of the resistivity data and rendered valuable assistance through instruction in operation of equipment and in analysis of data. The study was successively under the direction of Lt. Colonel K. E. Fields, C.E., Director, J. B, Tiffany, Jr., Senior Engineer, Acting Director, and the undersigned.
Rights:	Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
URI:	http://hdl.handle.net/11681/21353
Appears in Collections:	Technical Memorandum