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Geomechanical (Engineering) Properties

Seismic velocities can be related to standard geotechnical properties. For example, Poisson's ratio ν can be found from:

(1)

Figures 1 and 2 show the S and P wave velocities of seismic waves for a number of different rock types.

Figure 1. S-wave velocity ranges for common materials.

Figure 2. P wave velocity ranges for common materials.

The pages found under Properties are substantially based on a report produced by the United States Department of Transportation:

Wightman, W. E., Jalinoos, F., Sirles, P., and Hanna, K. (2003). "Application of Geophysical Methods to Highway Related Problems." Federal Highway Administration, Central Federal Lands Highway Division, Lakewood, CO, Publication No. FHWA-IF-04-021, September 2003.

Geomechanical (Engineering) Properties

Environmental Geophysics