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Geological Society, London, Engineering Geology Special Publications; 1997; v. 12; p. 3-34;
DOI: 10.1144/GSL.ENG.1997.012.01.01
© 1997 Geological Society of London

Section 1: Introduction

Setting the standard for geophysical surveys in site investigation

D. M. McCann1, M. G. Culshaw1 & P. J. Fenning2

1 British Geological Survey, Key worth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK
2 Earth Science Systems Limited, Unit 1 Kimpton Enterprise Park, Claggy Road, Kimpton, Hertfordshire, SG4 8HP, UK

This paper reviews the state of geophysics as applied to the engineering and environmental industries in the 1990s. The site investigation process is described emphasizing that inadequate attention is paid to understanding the ground in, or on, which structures are built. The basic principles of geophysical surveying are described, particularly the five major factors that influence the success of a geophysical survey: depth of penetration, vertical and lateral resolution, contrast in physical properties, signal to noise ratio and existing information about the site. The main surface, downhole and crosshole geophysical methods used in engineering and environmental investigations are discussed and illustrated with brief case histories from the literature. The integration of geophysical surveys into the site investigation process is described and a new procedure for the designing, commissioning and carrying out of a successful geophysical survey is presented. The underlying reasons why geophysics is perceived as ‘not working,’ are identified as a lack of understanding of both geological variability and geophysical methods on the part of the engineer and of engineering design and practice on the part of the geophysicist.