Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves Method (MASW) is a seismic exploration method evaluating ground stiffness in 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D formats for various types of geotechnical engineering projects. Since its first introduction in the late 1990s, it has been utilized by many practitioners and researched by many investigators worldwide.
MASW first measures seismic surface waves generated from various types of seismic sources—such as sledge hammer—analyses the propagation velocities of those surface waves, and then finally deduces shear-wave velocity (Vs) variations below the surveyed area that is most responsible for the analysed propagation velocity pattern of surface waves. Shear-wave velocity (Vs) is one of the elastic constants and closely related to Young’s modulus. Under most circumstances, Vs is a direct indicator of the ground strength (stiffness) and therefore commonly used to derive load-bearing capacity. After a relatively simple procedure, final Vs information is provided in 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D formats.
