The use of field geophysical techniques to determine geotechnical stiffness parameters

Recent advances in our knowledge of the geotechnical behaviour of natural soils and weak rocks suggest that the shear stiffness controlling wave propagation in near-surface materials will be similar to those which geotechnical engineers wish to measure, and use to calculate movements of the ground around engineering structures. Field seismic techniques which have been found suitable for stiffness determination are reviewed. The benefits of using geophysical methods, as compared with the use of routine geotechnical techniques, are discussed.