Applications of Geophysical Methods for Subsurface Characterization in Civil Engineering

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Subsurface characterization is a critical component of civil engineering projects, directly influencing the safety, design, and longevity of infrastructure systems. This paper presents a comprehensive review of geophysical methods applied to civil engineering site investigations, drawing insights from more than 75 peer-reviewed journal publications. The review emphasizes how geophysical techniques contribute to understanding subsurface conditions that are otherwise difficult or costly to assess using conventional intrusive methods.

Geological Conditions in Engineering Site Characterization

Civil engineering projects are often developed over complex geological settings, including fractured rock masses, soft soils, cavities, and heterogeneous strata. The reviewed studies demonstrate how accurate identification of these conditions is essential for foundation design, slope stability, tunneling, and groundwater assessment. Geophysical investigations provide non-destructive and spatially continuous information, making them highly suitable for preliminary and detailed site characterization.

Geophysical Methods Used in Civil Engineering

The review highlights a wide range of geophysical techniques commonly employed in civil engineering, including electrical resistivity tomography, seismic refraction tomography, self-potential, induced polarization, electromagnetic methods, multichannel analysis of surface waves, and magnetic surveys. Each method offers distinct advantages depending on subsurface conditions and project objectives, and their appropriate selection is crucial for reliable interpretation.

Case Studies and Practical Applications

Case studies from 26 peer-reviewed publications demonstrate the successful application of geophysical methods in real-world civil engineering projects. These examples illustrate how geophysical surveys have been used to detect subsurface anomalies, map geological interfaces, assess material properties, and support decision-making in construction and infrastructure development. The case studies validate the effectiveness of geophysical approaches when properly designed and interpreted.

Challenges in Geophysical Data Interpretation

Despite their advantages, geophysical methods face notable challenges in civil engineering applications. These include ambiguity in data interpretation, complex and time-consuming data processing, and high noise-to-signal ratios, particularly in culturally noisy urban environments. Such challenges can limit reliability if geophysical results are used in isolation without supporting data or advanced processing techniques.

Future Directions: Integration and Intelligent Techniques

The paper emphasizes that the integrated use of multiple geophysical methods is a key strategy for overcoming current limitations. Joint inversion and modeling of combined datasets can significantly improve subsurface imaging accuracy. Furthermore, future research should incorporate machine learning and deep learning techniques to enable automated interpretation, anomaly detection, and real-time monitoring, thereby enhancing the role of geophysics in modern civil infrastructure projects.


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