Submit to Geosciences Review for Geosciences Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Modern Surveying and Geophysical Methods for Soil and Rock

Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of Geosciences (ISSN 2076-3263). This special issue belongs to the section "Geophysics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2020) | Viewed by 34415

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Meho-Saša Kovačević

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: soil and rock investigation works; nondestructive testing methods; geophysical methods; geotechnical monitoring; remote sensing; soil and rock mechanics; shallow geothermal energy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Mario Bačić

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: nondestructive testing methods; geotechnical monitoring; numerical modeling in geotechnics; risk assessment; climate change adaptation; energy geostructures
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The field of soil and rock investigation has made significant progress in recent decades. This is mainly due to the rapid development of near surface nondestructive geophysical methods, used either as an alternative or as a supplement to traditional destructive methods. With the possibility of covering a larger volume of investigated soil and rock, geophysical methods have overcome the discrete nature of destructive investigation methods. However, the application of geophysical methods requires specific knowledge and experience on data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation, because the obtained solution may not indicate unique soil and rock conditions. Additionally, the development of innovative surveying and monitoring techniques has significantly boosted soil and rock investigation research efforts, where techniques include photogrammetry, laser scanning, and thermography. This Special Issue welcomes manuscripts dealing with various aspects of the geophysical investigation of soil and rock, including the geological, hydrogeological, engineering-geological, geotechnical, civil engineering, infrastructure management, shallow geothermal, and environmental applications, as well as the research dealing with innovative surveying and monitoring techniques with a special focus on terrestrial and aerial remote sensing techniques. The papers should focus on theoretical and experimental investigations, including instrumentation, data acquisition, data analysis, processing and interpretation, and modelling. Original and innovative applications of surveying and geophysical techniques are encouraged, especially those involving field case study implementations, as well as applications conducted in conjunction with other testing techniques and methods, leading to the enhancement of existing knowledge on soil and rock investigation. The overall aim of this Special Issue of Geosciences is to provide new insights, advances, and approaches in application of surveying and near-surface geophysical methods, including methodological developments and innovative applications. Papers should be understandable to a wide target audience, leading to multidisciplinary recognition of conducted research.

Prof. Meho-Saša Kovačević
Dr. Mario Bačić
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. Geosciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 1800 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

Soil and rock investigations
Site characterization
Nondestructive testing
Near surface geophysics
Applied geophysics
Remote surveying methods
Rock and soil monitoring.

Published Papers (11 papers)

Download All Papers

Editorial

Jump to: Research

3 pages, 153 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Editorial of Special Issue "Modern Surveying and Geophysical Methods for Soil and Rock"

by Meho Saša Kovačević and Mario Bačić

Geosciences 2021, 11(9), 396; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences11090396 - 20 Sep 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1197

Abstract

Thanks to the rapid development of technology, the field of soil and rock investigation has made significant progress in recent decades [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Surveying and Geophysical Methods for Soil and Rock)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

20 pages, 8205 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Combined Space–Time Analysis of Geodetic and Geological Surveys for Evaluation of the Reliability of the Position of Points in the Geodynamic Network of the City of Zagreb

by Almin Đapo, Marko Pavasović, Boško Pribičević and Eduard Prelogović

Geosciences 2020, 10(12), 498; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences10120498 - 11 Dec 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2212

Abstract

This paper describes the long-standing interdisciplinary geodynamic research for the wider Zagreb area, the most seismically active area of the continental part of the Republic of Croatia, extending over an area of around 800 km². As a result of the research, which is based on geodetic and geological field measurements, a unique interdisciplinary movement model of the surface layers of the Earth’s crust for the project area is created. The analysis of survey data has determined the continuous tectonic activity of the wider Zagreb area. In the past 18 years, a total of 10 GPS measurement campaigns have been conducted. For each campaign, the velocities of geodynamic network points were calculated, and the cumulative velocity rate was determined from all measurement campaigns for the entire period of observations using GAMIT/GLOBK software. Displacements at individual measuring points of the network, throughout research, vary widely and depend on its location within the local geologic structural framework and regional tectonic movements. These displacements in detail represent a measurable insight into the tectonic activity of the area of research. Therefore, in this paper, special attention is given to the analysis and explanation of these variations in the displacements of the individual geodynamic points, even indicating the questionable quality of location selection for some points. In this way, we seek to explain the causes and mechanisms of such displacements. The results presented in this paper represent the preseismic area condition and further can be used in coseismic 2020 earthquake displacement analysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Surveying and Geophysical Methods for Soil and Rock)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 16261 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fault Detection with Crosshole and Reflection Geo-Radar for Underground Mine Safety

by Jakob Kulich and Florian Bleibinhaus

Geosciences 2020, 10(11), 456; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences10110456 - 12 Nov 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2590

Abstract

Ground-penetrating radar and crosshole radar are applied in an underground marble mine for fault detection and to test if different geological bodies can be distinguished. Boreholes are often drilled in advance of mining to clarify the locations of ore bodies and gangues. Here, such boreholes were used for crosshole investigations to supplement optical borehole imaging. Four boreholes were drilled along a profile with increasing offsets from 5 to 25 m. The crosshole measurements were performed with 100 MHz antennas. Tomographic panels were created up to a depth of 28 m and were complemented by reflection mode ground-penetrating radar (GPR) measurements along a 25 m-long profile with 100 and 250 MHz antennas. The GPR imaging successfully delineates the fault and karstification zones with higher water content due to their strong dielectric permittivity contrast compared to the surrounding geology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Surveying and Geophysical Methods for Soil and Rock)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 8931 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Usefulness of Seismic Surveys for Geotechnical Engineering in Karst: Some Practical Examples

by Mario Bačić, Lovorka Librić, Danijela Jurić Kaćunić and Meho Saša Kovačević

Geosciences 2020, 10(10), 406; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences10100406 - 11 Oct 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5735

Abstract

Having in mind uncertainties linked with the nature of rock masses, it is a challenge for geotechnical engineers to characterize them in a credible manner, especially if the rock mass in question is a notoriously complex karst with its distinctive features such as voids and discontinuities. A large range of geophysical methods are useful tools in the characterization efforts and their utilization in karst environments nowadays is a non-negotiable requirement, even though near-surface scattering significantly affects the acquired data. This paper demonstrates the versatile applications of seismic geophysical methods for geotechnical engineering in karst, from mapping of near-surface karstic features to the application of elastic wave velocities in determination of small to large strain stiffness of karst. The highlighted practical examples offer a step forward from the traditional interpretation of seismic surveys, making them a prosperous tool in geotechnical engineering investigation works, design and quality control campaign. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Surveying and Geophysical Methods for Soil and Rock)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 4587 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantitative Analysis of Pore Space Structure in Dry and Wet Soil by Integral Geometry Methods

by Dmitriy Ivonin, Timofey Kalnin, Eugene Grachev and Evgeny Shein

Geosciences 2020, 10(9), 365; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences10090365 - 14 Sep 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2927

Abstract

We present a methodology for a numerical analysis of three-dimensional tomographic images in this paper. The methodology is based on integral geometry, topology, and morphological analysis methods. It involves calculating cumulative and non-cumulative pore size distributions of Minkowski functionals and Betti numbers. We investigated 13 samples in dry and wet (saturated beyond the field capacity) conditions within different horizons of the Phaeozem albic. For samples of the arable horizon, an increase in the Euler characteristic was observed in the process of wetting. For samples from the A2, AB and B2 horizons, the Euler-Poincare characteristic decreased during wetting. It has been proven that both Betti numbers (number of isolated pores and number of “tunnels”) decrease with swelling of the AB and B2 horizons at a depth of 20–90 cm. For samples from the arable horizon, another dependence was observed: A Betti number of zero increased first but decreased during wetting. Based on the change in topological characteristics, two methods of changing the topology of the void space of the soil were demonstrated. The above-described quantitative changes of proposed parameters of pore space tomographic images prove the possibility and progressiveness of their usage for the pore space transformation estimate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Surveying and Geophysical Methods for Soil and Rock)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 4082 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prospecting and Evaluation of Underground Massive Ice by Ground-Penetrating Radar

by Kirill Sokolov, Larisa Fedorova and Maksim Fedorov

Geosciences 2020, 10(7), 274; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences10070274 - 16 Jul 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3092

Abstract

Data from geocryological studies of soil and rock massifs in permafrost zone are very important as a basis for predicting possible negative consequences associated with climate change. A promising technique for studying geocryological structures (various types of underground ice) is the ground-penetrating radar (GPR) method. This paper presents the applications of the GPR method to prospect and evaluate massive ice in a frozen rock mass. To study the features of GPR signals received during sounding of underground ice, a model of a single GPR trace for the structure “frozen rock-ice-frozen rock” was developed. As a result, regularities were established in the kinematic and dynamic characteristics of GPR signals at the upper and lower boundaries of massive ice, depending on its geometric parameters. The established features were confirmed by the results of computer and physical simulation of GPR measurements of a frozen rock mass model. The main result of the study was to obtain a set of criteria for identifying massive ice according to GPR measurements. The developed criteria will allow the use of GPR for a detailed study of the structure of permafrost rocks to prevent the development of dangerous cryogenic processes in undisturbed and urban areas of the Arctic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Surveying and Geophysical Methods for Soil and Rock)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 3212 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of Ground-Penetrating Radar and a Combined Penetrometer–Moisture Probe for Evaluating Spatial Distribution of Soil Moisture and Soil Hardness in Coastal and Inland Windbreaks

by Kenta Iwasaki, Makoto Tamura, Hirokazu Sato, Kazuhiko Masaka, Daisuke Oka, Yosuke Yamakawa and Ken’ichirou Kosugi

Geosciences 2020, 10(6), 238; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences10060238 - 18 Jun 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2776

Abstract

The development of a method to easily investigate the spatial distribution of soil moisture and soil hardness in tree windbreaks is necessary because these windbreaks often decline due to inappropriate soil moisture condition and soil compaction. This research examined the applicability of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and a combined penetrometer–moisture probe (CPMP) for evaluating the spatial distribution of soil moisture and soil hardness in four windbreaks with different soil characteristics. A GPR-reflecting interface was observed at a less permeable layer in a coastal windbreak and at a depth affected by soil compaction in an inland windbreak with andosol. The spatial distribution of the groundwater table could also be evaluated by examining the attenuation of GPR reflection in a coastal windbreak. In contrast, GPR was not applicable in an inland windbreak with peat because of high soil water content near the soil surface. The CPMP could detect vertical distributions of soil hardness and soil water content regardless of soil type. The CPMP was useful for interpreting GPR profiles, and GPR was useful for interpolating the information about the horizontal distribution of soil moisture and soil hardness between survey points made with the CPMP. Thus, the combination of GPR and a CPMP is ideal for examining the two-dimensional spatial distribution of soil moisture and soil hardness at windbreaks with soils for which both methods are applicable. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Surveying and Geophysical Methods for Soil and Rock)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 2001 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Granger Causality Analysis of Geophysical, Geodetic and Geochemical Observations during Volcanic Unrest: A Case Study in the Campi Flegrei Caldera (Italy)

by Simona Tripaldi, Sergio Scippacercola, Annarita Mangiacapra and Zaccaria Petrillo

Geosciences 2020, 10(5), 185; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences10050185 - 15 May 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2769

Abstract

The recent signs of reawakening at Campi Flegrei caldera (Southern Italy) received a great deal of attention due to the issues related to the volcanic risk management in a densely populated area. This paper explores relations between ground deformations, seismicity and geochemical time series in the time span 2004–2016. The aim is to unravel primary processes of unrest and the related indicators which may change in time. Data structure and interactions among variables were examined applying the clustering analysis, the correlations and the Granger causality test. The hierarchical agglomerative clustering detected two sub-periods which were further investigated. In both sub-period causal links were observed between variables while correlations did not appear and vice versa. Thus, well established formal approaches are required to study causal relations. Granger test results indicate that during 2004–2011 the awakening unrest could be mainly ascribed to hydrothermal system pressure fluctuations, probably induced by deep-rooted fluids injection, and that ground deformation together with CO₂/H₂O appears the most suitable geo-indicators. The 2011–2016 sub-period is characterized by enhanced dynamical connectivity. Granger test results suggest that the unrest is driven by a more localized and shallower thermohydromechanical engine. CO/CO₂, He/CH₄ and ground deformation velocity are mutually interacting appearing the most suitable geo-indicators. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Surveying and Geophysical Methods for Soil and Rock)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 4799 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization of Aquifers in Metamorphic Rocks by Combined Use of Electrical Resistivity Tomography and Monitoring of Spring Hydrodynamics

by Maja Briški, Andrej Stroj, Ivan Kosović and Staša Borović

Geosciences 2020, 10(4), 137; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences10040137 - 10 Apr 2020

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4615

Abstract

Crystalline rocks are generally characterized by negligible porosity and permeability in terms of groundwater exploitability. However, alteration processes can greatly increase their fracture permeability and induce formation of modest, but locally important aquifers. Therefore, subsurface characteristics of alteration zones are of major importance for hydrogeological evaluation of crystalline terrains. Alteration processes greatly affect rock total porosity and water content, causing contrasting electrical resistivity of rocks affected by varying degrees of weathering. This makes electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) a preferable geophysical method for the exploration of alteration zones in crystalline rocks. In our research, we used an integrated approach, combining the ERT method with monitoring of spring discharge and hydrochemistry to characterize metamorphic aquifers on slopes of the Medvednica Mountain (Croatia). Significant fracture flow aquifers are found to be formed in intensely fractured but not highly weathered rock masses (medium to high resistivity values), while highly weathered masses (low resistivity values) form local barriers for fracture flows. Subsurface structure of the alteration zone proved to be highly irregular, with sharp contacts between more and less weathered rocks. Decrease of permeability below the alteration zone keeps the water level near the surface and enables spring occurrence on the mountain slopes. Studied aquifers have relatively limited extent, resulting in typical capacity of major springs of a few l/s. More frequent but less productive springs are attributed to the draining of the shallow part of the alteration zone (mostly saprolite). Combination of the ERT method with spring monitoring proved to be very effective as a first and relatively inexpensive methodology for hydrogeological characterization of crystalline terrains, both in local and catchment scales. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Surveying and Geophysical Methods for Soil and Rock)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 2533 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Performance of the DES Sensor for Estimating Soil Bulk Density under the Effect of Different Agronomic Practices

by Ahmed Abed Gatea Alshammary, Abbas Z. Kouzani, Akif Kaynak, Sui Yang Khoo, Michael Norton, Will P. Gates, Mustafa AL-Maliki and Jesús Rodrigo-Comino

Geosciences 2020, 10(4), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences10040117 - 26 Mar 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2431

Abstract

The estimation of soil wet bulk density (ρ_n) and dry bulk density (ρ_b) using the novel digital electromechanical system (DES) has provided information about important parameters for the assessment of soil quality and health with a direct application for agronomists. The evaluation of the DES performance is particularly appropriate for different tillage methods, mulching systems, and fertilizers used to increase soil fertility and productivity, but currently, there is a lack of information, particularly in the arid areas in underdeveloped countries. Therefore, the main aim of this study was the application of a novel digital electromechanical system (DES) to evaluate bulk density, wet (ρ_n) and dry (ρ_b), under different soil treatments according to the variations in thermal efficiencies (η_th), microwave penetration depths (M_DP), and specific energy consumption (Q_con) in an experimental area close to Baghdad (Iraq). The experimental design consisted of 72 plots, each 4 m². The agronomic practices included two different tillage systems (disc plough followed by a spring disk and mouldboard plough followed by a spring disk) and twelve treatments involving mulching plastic sheeting combined with fertilizers, to determine their effect on the measured soil ρ_n and ρ_b and the DES performance in different soils. The results indicated that soil ρ_n and ρ_b varied significantly with both the tillage systems and the mulching systems. As expected, the soil ρn and ρb, M_DP, and Q_con increased with an increase in the soil depth. Moreover, the tillage, soil mulching, and soil depth value significantly affected η_th and Q_con. A strong relationship was identified between the soil tillage and M_DP for different soil treatments, leading to the changes in soil ρ_b and the soil dielectric constant (ε’). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Surveying and Geophysical Methods for Soil and Rock)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 13473 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of Dimension Stone on the Island Brač—Geophysical Approach to Rock Mass Quality Assessment

by Jasmin Jug, Kristijan Grabar, Stjepan Strelec and Filip Dodigović

Geosciences 2020, 10(3), 112; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences10030112 - 21 Mar 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3360

Abstract

A site located on the island of Brač is known in history for world-famous architectural stone and stone mining, dating all the way back to ancient Greek and Roman times. The most famous building constructed from the stone from Brač is the Diocletian Cesar Palace in the town Split. Prospective new locations for quarries are still required because the demand for the stone from the island is still high. This paper presents a review of undertaken geophysical investigations, as well as engineering geologic site prospection, with the purpose of determining if the rock mass quality is suitable for the mining of massive blocks needed for an architectural purpose—dimension stones. Several surface noninvasive geophysical methods were applied on the site, comprising of two seismic methods, multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) and shallow refraction seismic (SRS) electrical methods of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), as well as electromagnetic exploration with ground penetrating radar (GPR). Results of geophysical investigations were compared to the engineering geologic prospection results, as well to the visible rock mass structure and observed discontinuities on the neighboring existing open mine quarry. Rock mass was classified into three categories according to its suitability for dimension stone exploitation. Each category is defined by compressional and shear seismic velocities as well as electrical resistivity. It has been found that even small changes in moisture content within the large monolithic rock mass can influence measured values of electrical resistivity. In the investigated area, dimension stone quarrying is advisable if the rock mass has values of resistivity higher than 3000 Ωm, as well as compressional seismic velocities higher than 3000 m/s and shear wave velocities higher than 1500 m/s. Georadar was found to be a good tool for the visual determination of fissured systems, and was used to confirm findings from other geophysical methods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Surveying and Geophysical Methods for Soil and Rock)

► Show Figures