Evaluation of Engineering Site and Subsurface Structures Using Seismic Refraction Tomography: A Case Study of Abydos Site, Sohag Governorate, Egypt
Because of the strategic importance of the Abydos archaeological site in Egypt as a source of wealth for Egyptian tourism, this study was concerned with carrying out geophysical measurements to detect subsurface succession and measure variations in the geotechnical engineering features of the soils/...
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MDPI AG
2023-02-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/4/2745 |
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| author | Abdelbaset M. Abudeif Gamal Z. Abdel Aal Nessreen F. Abdelbaky Ahmed M. Abdel Gowad Mohammed A. Mohammed |
| author_facet | Abdelbaset M. Abudeif Gamal Z. Abdel Aal Nessreen F. Abdelbaky Ahmed M. Abdel Gowad Mohammed A. Mohammed |
| author_sort | Abdelbaset M. Abudeif |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Because of the strategic importance of the Abydos archaeological site in Egypt as a source of wealth for Egyptian tourism, this study was concerned with carrying out geophysical measurements to detect subsurface succession and measure variations in the geotechnical engineering features of the soils/rocks in order to protect this significant area. The findings will assist geologists and seismologists in collaborating with archaeologists for future site development, revitalization, and investment. The primary objectives of this work were to determine the subsurface lithology, evaluate the engineering geotechnical properties of soils/rocks, identify the layer thicknesses, and identify the site class by calculating V<sub>s</sub><sup>30</sup>. To achieve these goals, seventeen (17) seismic refraction tomography (SRT) P- and S-wave measurements were executed in front of the Osirion location. SeisImager Software was used for the processing and interpretation of the outcomes. The results were the travel time–distance curves, which were used for building the 2D seismic models that exhibited the velocity and the depth of the layered models. These models were validated by our previous works using electric resistivity tomography and borehole data. The results indicated that this site consisted of three geoseismic subsurface layers. The first layer was the surface that was made up of wadi deposits, which were a mixture of gravel, sand, and silt and were characterized by incompetent to slightly competent materials. The second layer corresponded to the sand and muddy sand deposits of competent rock that was of fair to moderate quality. The third layer (clay deposits) had a higher velocity and was more compact and may be employed as a bedrock layer. The elastic moduli, V<sub>s</sub><sup>30</sup>, petrophysical, and geotechnical properties of the three geoseismic layers were appraised as essential parameters. Integration of petrophysical and geotechnical parameters and elastic moduli revealed that the third layer was composed of competent clays, which were characterized by low values of porosity, void ratio, Poisson ratio, and stress ratio. It also had a high rigidity, Young’s and bulk moduli, concentration and material indexes, N-value, ultimate bearing capacities, and high density values, and vice versa for the first layer. The standard NEHRP site class was B (rocks). These parameters are ordinarily used as key indications and serve as significant inputs for any future work. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T09:10:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5208957d18944256b77308c5aa2bb7a0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T09:10:57Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj.art-5208957d18944256b77308c5aa2bb7a02023-11-16T19:00:12ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172023-02-01134274510.3390/app13042745Evaluation of Engineering Site and Subsurface Structures Using Seismic Refraction Tomography: A Case Study of Abydos Site, Sohag Governorate, EgyptAbdelbaset M. Abudeif0Gamal Z. Abdel Aal1Nessreen F. Abdelbaky2Ahmed M. Abdel Gowad3Mohammed A. Mohammed4Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Sohag University, Sohag 82511, EgyptGeology Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, EgyptGeophysics Exploration, Dessert Research Center, Al Mataria, Cairo 4540064, EgyptGeology Department, Faculty of Science, South Valley University, Qena 83523, EgyptGeology Department, Faculty of Science, Sohag University, Sohag 82511, EgyptBecause of the strategic importance of the Abydos archaeological site in Egypt as a source of wealth for Egyptian tourism, this study was concerned with carrying out geophysical measurements to detect subsurface succession and measure variations in the geotechnical engineering features of the soils/rocks in order to protect this significant area. The findings will assist geologists and seismologists in collaborating with archaeologists for future site development, revitalization, and investment. The primary objectives of this work were to determine the subsurface lithology, evaluate the engineering geotechnical properties of soils/rocks, identify the layer thicknesses, and identify the site class by calculating V<sub>s</sub><sup>30</sup>. To achieve these goals, seventeen (17) seismic refraction tomography (SRT) P- and S-wave measurements were executed in front of the Osirion location. SeisImager Software was used for the processing and interpretation of the outcomes. The results were the travel time–distance curves, which were used for building the 2D seismic models that exhibited the velocity and the depth of the layered models. These models were validated by our previous works using electric resistivity tomography and borehole data. The results indicated that this site consisted of three geoseismic subsurface layers. The first layer was the surface that was made up of wadi deposits, which were a mixture of gravel, sand, and silt and were characterized by incompetent to slightly competent materials. The second layer corresponded to the sand and muddy sand deposits of competent rock that was of fair to moderate quality. The third layer (clay deposits) had a higher velocity and was more compact and may be employed as a bedrock layer. The elastic moduli, V<sub>s</sub><sup>30</sup>, petrophysical, and geotechnical properties of the three geoseismic layers were appraised as essential parameters. Integration of petrophysical and geotechnical parameters and elastic moduli revealed that the third layer was composed of competent clays, which were characterized by low values of porosity, void ratio, Poisson ratio, and stress ratio. It also had a high rigidity, Young’s and bulk moduli, concentration and material indexes, N-value, ultimate bearing capacities, and high density values, and vice versa for the first layer. The standard NEHRP site class was B (rocks). These parameters are ordinarily used as key indications and serve as significant inputs for any future work.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/4/2745seismic refraction tomographyarchaeological sitesite evaluationelastic moduliV<sub>s</sub><sup>30</sup>NEHRP site class |
| spellingShingle | Abdelbaset M. Abudeif Gamal Z. Abdel Aal Nessreen F. Abdelbaky Ahmed M. Abdel Gowad Mohammed A. Mohammed Evaluation of Engineering Site and Subsurface Structures Using Seismic Refraction Tomography: A Case Study of Abydos Site, Sohag Governorate, Egypt Applied Sciences seismic refraction tomography archaeological site site evaluation elastic moduli V<sub>s</sub><sup>30</sup> NEHRP site class |
| title | Evaluation of Engineering Site and Subsurface Structures Using Seismic Refraction Tomography: A Case Study of Abydos Site, Sohag Governorate, Egypt |
| title_full | Evaluation of Engineering Site and Subsurface Structures Using Seismic Refraction Tomography: A Case Study of Abydos Site, Sohag Governorate, Egypt |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of Engineering Site and Subsurface Structures Using Seismic Refraction Tomography: A Case Study of Abydos Site, Sohag Governorate, Egypt |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of Engineering Site and Subsurface Structures Using Seismic Refraction Tomography: A Case Study of Abydos Site, Sohag Governorate, Egypt |
| title_short | Evaluation of Engineering Site and Subsurface Structures Using Seismic Refraction Tomography: A Case Study of Abydos Site, Sohag Governorate, Egypt |
| title_sort | evaluation of engineering site and subsurface structures using seismic refraction tomography a case study of abydos site sohag governorate egypt |
| topic | seismic refraction tomography archaeological site site evaluation elastic moduli V<sub>s</sub><sup>30</sup> NEHRP site class |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/4/2745 |
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