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This is a Quantitative Study study.

September 23, 2025Open Access

Efficient mechanical evaluation of railway earthworks using a towed seismic array and Bayesian inference of MASW data

Key Points

The use of a towed seismic array significantly enhances the efficiency of shear-wave velocity profiling in railway earthworks.
Using the Landstreamer setup improves imaging capability and allows for effective detection of Low Velocity Layers in disturbed zones.
Bayesian inference applied to MASW data assists in understanding uncertainties, resulting in more reliable decision-making for infrastructure management.
The study highlights the advantages of non-destructive testing tools in assessing railway earthworks under time-efficient conditions.

Abstract

Assessing Railway Earthworks (RE) requires non-destructive and time-efficient diagnostic tools. This study evaluates the relevance of shear-wave velocity (Vₛ) profiling using Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) for detecting Low Velocity Layers (LVLs) in disturbed RE zones. To enhance time-efficiency, a towed seismic setup (Landstreamer) was compared with a conventional one. Once qualified, the Landstreamer was deployed on the ballast for roll-along acquisition, showing greatly improved efficiency and good imaging capability. A probabilistic framework adopted in this study additionally enhances quantification of uncertainties and helps in interpretation of Vₛ models, facilitating reliable decision-making in infrastructure management.

Efficient mechanical evaluation of railway earthworks using a towed seismic array and Bayesian inference of MASW data

Key Points

Abstract

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