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The Geophysical Method Applied in Engineering and Environment-Related Fields
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The Geophysical Method Applied in Engineering and Environment-Related Fields

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Earth Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 March 2025) | Viewed by 6910

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Benyu Su

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Interests: geophysical application in engineering and environment field
Dr. Rujun Chen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Geoscience and Info-Physics, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
Interests: precision geophysical instrumentation and measurements; geophysical signal processing; spread-spectrum induced polarization; Internet of Things electromagnetic; transient electromagnetic; mineral exploration; groundwater exploration and evaluation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is devoted to the application of the geophysical method in various research fields whose studies not only contain theoretical calculations and forward the inversion method but also include geophysical equipment. As a result, we hope to receive high-quality manuscripts and provide an opportunity to improve existing research in the relevant fields.     

Prof. Dr. Benyu Su
Dr. Rujun Chen
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • geophysical equipment
  • geophysical method
  • geophysical forward modeling
  • geophysical inversion
  • mineral exploration
  • groundwater exploration and evaluation

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 19228 KiB  
Article
Method of Suppressing Rayleigh Waves Based on the Technology of Time-Domain Differential Detection
by Debing Zhu, Dazhou Zhang, Tianchun Yang, Rui Huang and Qiyan Zeng
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 4691; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15094691 - 23 Apr 2025
Viewed by 167
Abstract
Seismic exploration is widely used in shallow engineering applications, yet extracting reflected wave information remains challenging due to contamination from Rayleigh waves. To overcome this, we propose a common shot point time-domain differential method that leverages the distinct velocity contrast between slow Rayleigh [...] Read more.
Seismic exploration is widely used in shallow engineering applications, yet extracting reflected wave information remains challenging due to contamination from Rayleigh waves. To overcome this, we propose a common shot point time-domain differential method that leverages the distinct velocity contrast between slow Rayleigh waves and faster P-wave reflections. These waves exhibit lower velocity and minimal dispersion in the radiation direction under the same seismic source excitation. This study establishes two closely spaced track records termed “far main and near slave” along the direction of the measurement line to counteract this interference. This method employs the difference in travel time between Rayleigh waves and subsurface interface reflection waves for time-domain differential analysis. The interference is minimized while preserving the reflected wave signal by conducting slight amplitude compensation on the far-field Rayleigh wave signal and subtracting the master and slave records. The application of time-domain differential detection technology in shallow engineering seismic exploration and marble plate thickness detection experiments demonstrated that this method effectively eliminates the influence of Rayleigh surface waves and enhances the resolution of reflection signals from anomalous bodies. Additionally, this study examines the impact of boundaries on time-domain differential technology. Without relying on long array shot records, this approach provides a promising result for Rayleigh wave suppression and offers broad potential in elastic wave exploration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Geophysical Method Applied in Engineering and Environment-Related Fields)
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16 pages, 3104 KiB  
Article
Regional Geomagnetic Field Modeling Based on Associated Legendre Polynomials
by Libo Zhu, Houpu Li, Jineng Ouyang, Bo Zhu and Ming Chang
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(7), 3555; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15073555 - 25 Mar 2025
Viewed by 225
Abstract
Global geomagnetic field models typically have low spatial resolution, whereas regional models are constrained by boundary effects and limited truncation levels. To address these limitations, this study introduces a novel regional geomagnetic anomaly field model called the regional associated Legendre polynomials magnetic model [...] Read more.
Global geomagnetic field models typically have low spatial resolution, whereas regional models are constrained by boundary effects and limited truncation levels. To address these limitations, this study introduces a novel regional geomagnetic anomaly field model called the regional associated Legendre polynomials magnetic model (R−ALPOLM). This model employs the associated Legendre polynomials method, which combines the QR decomposition approach and a comprehensive evaluation index formula to enhance the computational efficiency of parameter estimation. In addition, it allows for scientific and intuitive determination of the optimal truncation level of the model. The overall prediction accuracy of the model is significantly enhanced by identifying and re-predicting outliers using the exponential moving average approach. The results indicate that the degree 83 R−ALPOLM achieves a root mean square error (RMSE) of 3.21 nT. Compared to traditional models, the proposed model exhibits lower error rates, highlighting its superior efficiency and predictive accuracy. This underscores the potential value of the proposed model in both scientific research and practical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Geophysical Method Applied in Engineering and Environment-Related Fields)
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12 pages, 6621 KiB  
Article
Application of Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) in Detecting Abandoned Mining Tunnels Along Expressway
by Mengyu Sun, Jian Ou, Tongsheng Li, Chuanghua Cao and Rong Liu
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(5), 2289; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15052289 - 20 Feb 2025
Viewed by 534
Abstract
The settlement and deformation of abandoned mining tunnels can lead to cracking, deformation, or even the collapse of surface structures. Recently, a dual-direction, four-lane expressway, designed a speed of 100 km/h, is planned to be constructed between Yuanling County and Chenxi County. This [...] Read more.
The settlement and deformation of abandoned mining tunnels can lead to cracking, deformation, or even the collapse of surface structures. Recently, a dual-direction, four-lane expressway, designed a speed of 100 km/h, is planned to be constructed between Yuanling County and Chenxi County. This expressway will pass through a long-abandoned refractory clay mining area in Chenxi County. This study focuses on this abandoned mining area and employs the Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) method to investigate the underground conditions, aiming to determine the location and scale of the subterranean goaf. A total of five survey lines were deployed for the investigation. The inversion results indicate the presence of five low-resistivity anomalies in the underground structure (with six low-resistivity anomalies identified along line L1). These low-resistivity anomalies are preliminarily interpreted as subsurface cavities. Subsequent borehole verification revealed that the five low-resistivity anomalies correspond to a total of eight water-filled cavities, including six abandoned mining tunnels and two karst caves. At the location K33+260~K33+350, a large low-resistivity anomaly was identified which actually consisted of three closely spaced water-filled abandoned mining tunnels. Additionally, the surrounding strata primarily consisted of fractured mudstone, which has a high water content and thus exhibits low resistivity. These two factors combined resulted in the three water-filled abandoned mining tunnels appearing as a single large low-resistivity anomaly in the inversion profile. Meanwhile, at K33+50~K33+110, two water-filled abandoned mining tunnels were found. These tunnels are far apart along line L1 but are relatively close to each other on the other four survey lines. Consequently, in the inversion results, line L1 displays these as two separate low-resistivity anomalies, while the other four survey lines show them as a single large low-resistivity anomaly. Based on the 2D inversion results, a 3D model of the study area was constructed. This model provides a more intuitive visualization of the underground cavity structures in the study area. The findings not only serve as a reference for the subsequent remediation of the goaf area but also offer new insights into the detection of abandoned mining tunnels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Geophysical Method Applied in Engineering and Environment-Related Fields)
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17 pages, 5968 KiB  
Article
Research on Three-Dimensional Resistivity Imaging for Non-Conventional Electrode Arrays in Restricted Exploration Area
by Haifei Liu, Yingjie Zhao, Yuhao Zhang, Xiaoqiang Li and Daowei Zhu
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(1), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15010068 - 25 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 735
Abstract
The 3D resistivity imaging surveying is adept at identifying structural details at various subsurface depths, and it can acquire valuable underground information even in complex geological environments. This technique has been widely applied in fields such as geological exploration, hydrogeology, and environmental monitoring. [...] Read more.
The 3D resistivity imaging surveying is adept at identifying structural details at various subsurface depths, and it can acquire valuable underground information even in complex geological environments. This technique has been widely applied in fields such as geological exploration, hydrogeology, and environmental monitoring. Currently, the 3D electrical resistivity surveys in the field are primarily deployed using regular grid and equidistant electrode layouts. However, when the survey area is influenced by obstacles or when the target being investigated is particularly complex, this may hinder the deployment of the electrode array in accordance with a rectangular grid. In some instances, it may even be impossible to position the electrodes directly above the target of investigation. The only viable option is thus to place electrodes around obstacles or special targets. In view of this, this paper studied unconventional electrode arrays and inversion imaging techniques of 3D electrical resistivity surveying in confined areas. It presents the design of three electrode arrays: “□”-shaped, “U”-shaped, and “L”-shaped. Furthermore, the study explores 3D resistivity finite element numerical simulation and inversion imaging techniques based on continuous electrical media. Finally, model experiments were conducted to verify the feasibility of these three special electrode arrays. We have applied the “□”-shaped electrode array to investigate the foundation structure of an ancient pagoda in Zhejiang Province, achieving promising results. This study provides valuable reference for the research and application of special observation in 3D electrical resistivity exploration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Geophysical Method Applied in Engineering and Environment-Related Fields)
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12 pages, 3767 KiB  
Article
Microseismic Electronic Fencing for Monitoring of Transboundary Mining in Mines
by Jianbiao Yang, Guangyin Lu, Lei Li and Dazhou Zhang
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(23), 11043; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142311043 - 27 Nov 2024
Viewed by 661
Abstract
Mine transboundary mining has been occurring frequently in recent years, and this illegal behavior has brought great potential danger to mine safety while also causing greater losses of state-owned assets. However, the current method of monitoring transboundary mining is still mainly based on [...] Read more.
Mine transboundary mining has been occurring frequently in recent years, and this illegal behavior has brought great potential danger to mine safety while also causing greater losses of state-owned assets. However, the current method of monitoring transboundary mining is still mainly based on underground verification by supervisors, which is far from meeting the demand for supervision. Microseismic monitoring technology is effective for monitoring transboundary mining due to its ability to locate vibration signals. For mine transboundary mining monitoring, this paper proposes a microseismic electronic fence method focusing on mine boundary locating, which differs from the routine microseismic monitoring used in mining operations. This method focuses its key monitoring area on the mine boundary. The deployment mode, number of sensors, and localization theory are analyzed, and numerical simulation and field measurement data analysis results show that the microseismic electronic fence method can achieve a localization accuracy of 15–20 m for underground microseismic events in the vicinity of mine boundaries, which can be effectively applied to the monitoring of transboundary mining activities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Geophysical Method Applied in Engineering and Environment-Related Fields)
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15 pages, 3908 KiB  
Article
Efficient Trans-Dimensional Bayesian Inversion of C-Response Data from Geomagnetic Observatory and Satellite Magnetic Data
by Rongwen Guo, Shengqi Tian, Jianxin Liu, Yi-an Cui and Chuanghua Cao
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(23), 10944; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142310944 - 25 Nov 2024
Viewed by 846
Abstract
To investigate deep Earth information, researchers often utilize geomagnetic observatories and satellite data to obtain the conversion function of geomagnetic sounding, C-response data, and employ traditional inversion techniques to reconstruct subsurface structures. However, the traditional gradient-based inversion produces geophysical models with artificial structure [...] Read more.
To investigate deep Earth information, researchers often utilize geomagnetic observatories and satellite data to obtain the conversion function of geomagnetic sounding, C-response data, and employ traditional inversion techniques to reconstruct subsurface structures. However, the traditional gradient-based inversion produces geophysical models with artificial structure constraint enforced subjectively to guarantee a unique solution. This method typically requires the model parameterization knowledge a priori (e.g., based on personal preference) without uncertainty estimation. In this paper, we apply an efficient trans-dimensional (trans-D) Bayesian algorithm to invert C-response data from observatory and satellite geomagnetic data for the electrical conductivity structure of the Earth’s mantle, with the model parameterization treated as unknown and determined by the data. In trans-D Bayesian inversion, the posterior probability density (PPD) represents a complete inversion solution, based on which useful inversion inferences about the model can be made with the requirement of high-dimensional integration of PPD. This is realized by an efficient reversible-jump Markov-chain Monte Carlo (rjMcMC) sampling algorithm based on the birth/death scheme. Within the trans-D Bayesian algorithm, the model parameter is perturbated in the principal-component parameter space to minimize the effect of inter-parameter correlations and improve the sampling efficiency. A parallel tempering scheme is applied to guarantee the complete sampling of the multiple model space. Firstly, the trans-D Bayesian inversion is applied to invert C-response data from two synthetic models to examine the resolution of the model structure constrained by the data. Then, C-response data from geomagnetic satellites and observatories are inverted to recover the global averaged mantle conductivity structure and the local mantle structure with quantitative uncertainty estimation, which is consistent with the data. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Geophysical Method Applied in Engineering and Environment-Related Fields)
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19 pages, 4303 KiB  
Article
An Integrated Taylor Expansion and Least Squares Approach to Enhanced Acoustic Wave Staggered Grid Finite Difference Modeling
by Min Zhang, Liming Zhou, Daiguang Fu, Zhixue Chen and Haibo Wu
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(21), 10076; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142110076 - 4 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1063
Abstract
The staggered grid finite difference method has emerged as one of the most commonly used approaches in finite difference methodologies due to its high computational accuracy and stability. Inevitably, discretizing over time and space domains in finite difference methods leads to numerical artifacts. [...] Read more.
The staggered grid finite difference method has emerged as one of the most commonly used approaches in finite difference methodologies due to its high computational accuracy and stability. Inevitably, discretizing over time and space domains in finite difference methods leads to numerical artifacts. This paper introduces a novel approach that combines the widely used Taylor series expansion with the least squares method to effectively suppress numerical dispersion. We have derived the coefficients for the staggered grid finite difference method by integrating Taylor series expansions with the least squares method. To validate the effectiveness of our approach, we conducted analyses on accuracy, dispersion, and stability, alongside simple and complex numerical examples. The results indicate that our method not only inherits the capabilities of the original Taylor series and least squares methods in suppressing numerical dispersion across small and medium wavenumber ranges but also surpasses the original methods. Moreover, it demonstrates robust dispersion suppression capabilities at high wavenumber ranges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Geophysical Method Applied in Engineering and Environment-Related Fields)
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26 pages, 14295 KiB  
Article
Electromagnetic Field Distribution and Data Characteristics of SUTEM of Multilayer Aquifers
by Maofei Li, Zhihai Jiang, Shucai Liu, Shangbin Chen and Xuerui Tong
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(20), 9358; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14209358 - 14 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 730
Abstract
Coal-bearing strata belong to sedimentary strata, and there are multiple aquifers. The accurate detection of deep aquifers is helpful to the safe mining of the working face. In order to provide guidance for the interpretation of the surface-to-underground transient electromagnetic method (SUTEM) that [...] Read more.
Coal-bearing strata belong to sedimentary strata, and there are multiple aquifers. The accurate detection of deep aquifers is helpful to the safe mining of the working face. In order to provide guidance for the interpretation of the surface-to-underground transient electromagnetic method (SUTEM) that can be used to detect deep aquifers, we used theoretical analysis and numerical simulation methods in this study. Taking uniform half-spaces, single aquifers, and double aquifers as examples, we systematically studied the data characteristics and degree of influence of SUTEM under the influence of shallow aquifers. The results indicate the following: Under the influence of the primary field distribution, the x or y component of the induced electromotive force received by the underground receiving point has a positive and negative inflection point, which increases the difficulty of data interpretation, and the z component is easier to use for data interpretation. The influence of the aquifer on the early data of the underground receiving point is much greater than that of the ground receiving point, and the late influence is closer to the ground receiving point. The change in resistivity of the shallow aquifer has the greatest influence on the ability of each measuring point to detect the data of the deep aquifer; this influence is followed by change in thickness, and change in depth has the least influence on the detection capability of each measuring point. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Geophysical Method Applied in Engineering and Environment-Related Fields)
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14 pages, 3531 KiB  
Article
Three-Dimensional MT Conductive Anisotropic and Magnetic Modeling Using A − ϕ Potentials Employing a Mixed Nodal and Edge-Based Element Method
by Zongyi Zhou, Mingkuan Yi, Junjun Zhou, Lianzheng Cheng, Tao Song, Chunye Gong, Bo Yang and Tiaojie Xiao
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(19), 9019; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14199019 - 6 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1001
Abstract
Magnetotelluric (MT) sounding is a geophysical technique widely utilized in mineral resource surveys, where conductivity and magnetic permeability serve as essential physical parameters for forward modeling and inversion. However, the effects of conductive anisotropy and non-zero magnetic susceptibility are usually ignored. In this [...] Read more.
Magnetotelluric (MT) sounding is a geophysical technique widely utilized in mineral resource surveys, where conductivity and magnetic permeability serve as essential physical parameters for forward modeling and inversion. However, the effects of conductive anisotropy and non-zero magnetic susceptibility are usually ignored. In this study, we present a three-dimensional (3D) MT modeling algorithm using Coulomb-gauged electromagnetic potentials, incorporating a mixed nodal and edge-based finite element method capable of simulating MT responses for conductive anisotropic and magnetic anomalies. Subsequently, the algorithm’s accuracy was validated in two steps: first, it was compared with analytical solutions for a 1D magnetic model; then, a comparison was made with previously published numerical results for a 3D generalized conductive anisotropic model. The results of two tests show that the maximum relative error is below 0.5% for both models. Furthermore, representative models were computed to comprehensively analyze the responses of MT. The findings illustrate the relationship between anisotropic parameters and electric fields and emphasize the significance of considering the impact of magnetic susceptibility in magnetite-rich regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Geophysical Method Applied in Engineering and Environment-Related Fields)
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