receivers
Seismic data recording
A two-person team deployed 90 STRYDE nodal receivers in just one hour. The nodes recorded for one day while a controlled seismic source generated energy that travelled through the subsurface.
case study
Rapid seismic insight for confident construction planning
project summary
Clearer ground insight for confident building decisions, in three days.
WestUrban Developments commissioned our experts to investigate near-surface ground conditions ahead of a proposed building development in Cranbrook, British Columbia.
With no existing subsurface data available, uncertainty remained around soil stiffness, ground stability and the potential presence of voids or weak zones. A clearer understanding was needed to support seismic site classification, inform construction planning and identify whether further investigation might be required.
EchoVision experts designed and delivered a rapid, non-invasive MASW survey to characterise shear-wave velocity across the upper 30 metres. Deployed in one hour by a two-person crew, the survey provided the required Vs30 information and a continuous ground-stiffness model, with final results delivered within three days of the first receiver being deployed.
Project at a glance
| Location |
|---|
| Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada |
| Customer |
| WestUrban Developments Ltd |
| Project stage |
| Pre-design / ground investigation planning |
| Application |
| Geotechnical seismic site investigation |
| Environment |
| Vacant lot, flat ground |
| Key challenge |
| Understanding ground stability and checking for potential voids |
| Target depth |
| 0–30 m |
| Seismic method |
| MASW (Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves) |
| Seismic receiver system used |
| STRYDE nodes |
| Source used |
| Big Bang accelerated weight drop |
| Receiver points deployed |
| 90 |
| Source points shot |
| 45 |
| Crew size |
| 2 |
| Receiver deployment time |
| 1 hour |
| Recording time |
| 1 day |
| Time from first node deployed to final image |
| 3 days |
| Location | Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada |
|---|---|
| Customer | WestUrban Developments Ltd |
| Project stage | Pre-design / ground investigation planning |
| Application | Geotechnical seismic site investigation |
| Environment | Vacant lot, flat ground |
| Key challenge | Understanding ground stability and checking for potential voids |
| Target depth | 0–30 m |
| Seismic method | MASW (Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves) |
| Seismic receiver system used | STRYDE nodes |
| Source used | Big Bang accelerated weight drop |
| Receiver points deployed | 90 |
| Source points shot | 45 |
| Crew size | 2 |
| Receiver deployment time | 1 hour |
| Recording time | 1 day |
| Time from first node deployed to final image | 3 days |
The challenge
WestUrban Developments Ltd required a clearer understanding of near-surface conditions ahead of a proposed building development in Cranbrook, British Columbia.
The key questions were whether the ground provided suitable stiffness for the planned development and whether unidentified voids, weak zones or other subsurface variations could affect design or construction.
With no existing borehole or geotechnical data available, the project needed a fast and practical way to establish an initial ground model and provide evidence for the next stage of planning.
Why seismic was selected as the investigation tool
MASW provided a non-invasive way to measure how shear-wave velocity varied across the site and through the upper 30 metres.
Unlike isolated investigation points, seismic produces continuous information along the survey area. This allowed the team to assess changes in soil stiffness, identify potential low-velocity anomalies and calculate Vs30, the average shear-wave velocity of the upper 30 metres used for seismic site classification and engineering design.
The technique could also be deployed without drilling, extensive site preparation or a large field crew, making it well suited to an early-stage investigation where rapid answers were required.
source
Controlled seismic energy generation
While the nodes were recording, an accelerated weight-drop source generated seismic energy at 45 locations across the site, providing the measurements needed to characterise subsurface conditions.
The EchoVision approach for MASW
EchoVision experts delivered a high-resolution MASW survey using lightweight STRYDE nodes and an accelerated weight-drop source.
With no cables to install, a two-person crew deployed the complete receiver spread in one hour and completed acquisition in a single day. The compact system reduced equipment, labour and mobilisation time, making high-quality seismic investigation fast and low impact.
The results
Decision-ready insights, delivered in three days.
Processing produced a shear-wave velocity model of the upper 30 metres, providing the subsurface evidence needed to support the site assessment.
The results provided:
- A Vs30 value to support seismic site classification
- A continuous view of near-surface soil-stiffness variations
- No significant low-velocity anomalies indicative of major voids or weak zones
- Greater confidence that no major ground-stability concerns had been identified
- Decision-ready information to inform development planning and subsequent investigation
The final subsurface image was delivered within three days of the first receiver being deployed, on time and within budget.
The impact
Rapid, non-invasive seismic evidence that strengthened construction planning and confirmed ground conditions within three days.
Greater confidence in construction planning
Confirmed that no major ground-stability concerns were evident across the proposed development site.
Vs30 data for engineering design
Provided the shear-wave velocity information needed to classify soil stiffness and support seismic site classification.
Continuous subsurface insight
Created a continuous view of stiffness variations across the site, without relying on isolated investigation points.
Potential ground risks assessed
Identified no significant low-velocity anomalies indicative of major voids, weak zones or unexpected subsurface conditions.
Decision-ready results in three days
Delivered the final subsurface image within three days of the first receiver being deployed, supporting faster early-stage decisions.
Simple, low-impact acquisition
A two-person crew deployed 90 cable-free receivers in one hour and completed recording in a single day, without drilling or extensive mobilisation.
Need fast, non-invasive ground information before construction?
Speak to EchoVision about how MASW and near-surface seismic can support soil stiffness assessment, void detection, and geotechnical decision-making.
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