A new electrical and mechanically detonatable shear wave source for near surface (0–30 m) seismic acquisition

We present a new, impulsive, horizontal shear source capable of performing long shot profiles in a time-efficient and repeatable manner. The new shear source is ground-coupled by eight 1/2″ (1.27 cm) × 2″ (5.08 cm) steel spikes. Blank shotshells (12-gauge) used as energy sources can be either mechanically or electrically detonated. Electrical fuses have a start time repeatability of < 50 μs. This source can be operated by a single individual, and takes only ~ 10 s between shots as opposed to ~ 30 s for six stacked hammer blows. To ensure complete safety, the shotshell holder is surrounded by a protective 6″ (15.24 cm)-thick barrel, a push-and-twist-locked breach, and a safety pin.We conducted field tests at the 17th Street Canal levee breach site in New Orleans, Louisiana (30.017° N 90.121° W) and at an instrumented test borehole at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi (32.325° N 93.182° W) to compare our new source and a traditional hammer impact source. The new shear source produces a broader-band of frequencies (30–100 Hz cf. 30–60 Hz). Signal generated by the new shear source has signal-to-noise ratios equivalent to ~ 3 stacked hammer blows to the hammer impact source. Ideal source signals must be broadband in frequency, have a high SNR, be consistent, and have precise start times; all traits of the new shear source.

► We compare a new electro-mechanical shear-wave generator to a hammer-impact source.
► Testing conducted at two sites, an earthen levee and an instrumented borehole
► Source signals analyzed for total energy, frequency composition, and repeatability
► New shear source produces a stronger, highly repeatable, broader-band signal.