Applied Geophysics

Students will achieve competences on applications of conventional geophysical methods to different engineering fields. Student will acquire ability to plan geophysical surveys in different geological and morphological environments, to interpret the results of geophysical surveys and to understand the meaning of the main geophysical parameters. Students will also acquire skills in the evaluation of the relationships between geophysical and geotechnical/hydrogeological parameters of soils and rocks. Students will acquire competences on the suitability of geophysical methods to characterise permafrost and glaciers.

Applied Geophysics

The basic knowledges refer to the background in geology, hydrogeology and geophysics with reference to the petrophysical properties of the soils and rocks, the meaning of hydrogeological parameters (density, porosity, content, water permeability), geophysical properties of soils and rocks (electrical resistivity, seismic attributes, electromagnetic parameters) and environmental and geotechnical engineering (mechanical parameters). Basic knowledge on signal acquisition and processing is required. Skills in using computer tools (Matlab/Octave) for geophysical data processing are also required.

Applied Geophysics

Seismic Methods: (2 credits) Wave equation and correlation between mechanical parameters and seismic response; Correlation between petrophysical parameters (porosity, water content) and velocity and attenuation of porous media: Willie model, Biot-Gassman model; In-hole survey methods: downhole, cross-hole and vertical seismic profile (VSP); Seismic tomography in hole and from surface. Methods of surface waves. Electrical Methods (2 credits) Correlations between petrophysical parameters and electrical resistivity, and induced polarization effects, induced polarization for contaminated site measurements and mining surveys: electrical tomography of resistivity and polarization from surface and in cross-hole modality; examples for hydrogeological and environmental characterization, application of electrical tomography to characterise permafrost. Electromagnetic Methods (2 credits) Methods in frequency and time domain; acquisition mode with low induction Slingram devices; examples for the characterization of contaminated sites; Time domain methods for hydrogeological characterization. Ground penetrating radar: theory, data acquisition and processing, application in geology and hydrogeology, application in permafrost and glaciers. Laboratory works: processing of seismic data for mapping geomechnical properties of soil and rocks; processing of electrical tomographic data in hydrogeological applications; processing of electromagnetic and georadar data for permafrost and glacier investigation.

Applied Geophysics

Applied Geophysics

Lectures are intended to provide the principles of acquisition, processing and interpretation of geophysical data (about 40 hours). Field tutorials will enable students to learn practical-operational data acquisition methods; the laboratory exercises are aimed at deepening the aspects of data processing and interpretation of geophysical surveys in Matlab or Python environment, for independent work by the students.

Applied Geophysics

The suggested textbook are: Reynolds J.M. (1997). An Introduction to Applied and Environmental Geophysics, Wiley Ed., 796 pp. Burger H. R. , Sheehan A. F. , Jone C. H. (2006). Introduction to Applied Geophysics: Exploring The Shallow Subsurface. Telford, W., Geldart, L., and Sheriff, R. (1990). Applied Geophysics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. The teacher provides through the portal the material discussed during lectures, hints for the classroom works and laboratory exercises. Technical documentation and scientific articles are suggested for theoretical insights and made available on-line.

Applied Geophysics

Lecture slides; Lecture notes; Exercises; Multimedia materials; Simulation tools;

Applied Geophysics

Exam: Computer-based written test in class using POLITO platform;

Applied Geophysics

The exam will consist in an individual written divided in three parts with the auxilium of the PC, using the Moodle platform of PoliTO: 1) processing of geophysical data according to the tools and the platform introduced during the course (Matlab/Octave); 2) planning a geophysical survey on some specific issue (mining, climate change, environmental); 3) exercises on the relationships between geophysical and engineering properties and/or theoretical questions The main goal is to evaluate the capability of students in planning and design geophysical survey, to interpret the data sets and in understanding the theoretical aspects of the applied geophysics. The exam will last 60 minutes; students will be allowed to consult only the form made available by the teacher for exams. The final evaluation is based on the clarity of exposition (5 points), technical skills (5 points), capability to relate the different aspects of the subject (10 points), degree of competence achieved (10 points).