The use of SDMT Data for Local Seismic Response Studies in the Catania Area

Abstract

Soil stiffness at small strain is a key parameter to solve many geotechnical problems, such as the design of the foundation and the knowledge of the seismic behaviour. There are many methods to perform in-situ soil shear wave velocity measurements: Down Hole test (D-H), Cross Hole test (C-H), Spectral Analysis of Surface Waves (SASW), Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MAWS), etc. Among these methods, the use of Seismic Dilatometer Marchetti Tests (SDMT) to measure the shear wave velocity profile was developed and used in Italy. This test shows good repeatability of the measurements and the possibility to know, at the same time, the mechanical soil characteristics in the static field. In order to evaluate the soil profile of shear wave velocity (Vs), deep site investigations have been undertaken in some Italian sites, prone to high seismic risk. C-H and D-H tests, SDMT and Noise Analysis Surface Waves (NASW) have been carried out. In this paper, the relevance of using the Seismic Dilatometer Marchetti Tests (SDMT) as a basic tool for a comprehensive soil site characterization to carry out a local seismic response study was analyzed.

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