Fully funded, NERC Industrial CASE PhD Studentship in the Applied and
Environmental Geophysics Group at Keele University.
Title : MCSM (Multi-Component Seismic Microtremor), a new tool for
characterising the engineering properties of the shallow sub-surface.
A collaborative project between the Applied and Environmental Geophysics
Group, School of Earth Sciences and Geography, Keele University and
Geomatrix Earth Science Ltd.
Supervisors :
Prof. Peter Styles, Dr Nigel Cassidy and Dr Ian Stimpson (Keele
University). Mr Chris Leech (Geomatrix Earth Science Ltd).
Funding Provided :
U.K. Candidates - Fees at UK rate and a stipend of £13,000 per year for
3 years. E.U. Candidates – Fees at EU rate.
Project Background :
Determining the engineering properties (elastic moduli) of the near
surface is essential for the construction industry, especially in areas
of active seismicity or ground subsidence. Intrusive investigations,
such as boreholes or trial pits, only sample a very small area and may,
in some circumstances, compromise the integrity of the ground,
prejudicing a site’s building potential. Normal P-wave seismic
refraction surveys can provide information on seismic velocity (often
used as a proxy for elastic properties) and layer thickness, however, it
is S-waves that are more sensitive to the variations in Young’s moduli.
Ambient seismic noise generated by traffic, trees, distant earthquakes
and general human activity propagate most effectively as surface wave
phases and are ubiquitously present, especially in urban areas. The
recording and coherency analysis of this ‘noise’ permits the creation of
dispersion curves that contain information about the shear velocity
profile and, hence, the elastic moduli of the subsurface.
This studentship aims to use low frequency, three-dimensional seismic
arrays to record the ambient seismic noise for periods of minutes to
hours. The space-time records will be transformed into
frequency-slowness space for the calculation of wave dispersion then
modelled and inverted to give a profile of the elastic properties with
depth. Modelling of the three-component wavefield will be achieved
through the combined use of in-house FEMLAB modelling software and
bespoke programs developed for our clustered LINUX supercomputer. Field
trials will take place at our dedicated test site in Keele and in areas
with know subsidence and/or ground stability problems (e.g., the salt
mining areas around Northwich and the “Galligoo” waste materials of
industrialised Widnes).
The ultimate objective of the project is to develop a fully automated,
prototype Microtremor system that can be used for a wide range of
subsurface investigation and characterisation problems.
The Candidate :
We are looking for a highly motivated, self-driven, practical and
innovative graduate with a strong background in geophysics and
mathematics/computing. To comply with the eligibility requirements of
NERC and Keele University, students must be U.K. or EU citizens, hold,
or expect to obtain, a first or upper second class degree in geophysics,
physics, engineering or related subject. We are particularly interested
in candidates who have postgraduate qualifications at Masters level
and/or industrial experience.
To Apply :
In the first instance, contact Prof. Peter Styles by email on
[log in to unmask] and attach a copy of your C.V. Please quote
reference number EPA 2005-02.
Closing date : End May 2005.
If you would like more information on the Applied and Environmental
geophysics group, visit our web site at
http://www.esci.keele.ac.uk/geophysics/index.html
Full details of the application procedures for postgraduate study are on
the Keele website at www.keele.ac.uk/postgraduate or, alternatively,
contact the Postgraduate Office, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5
5BG (tel: 01782 584472, fax: 01782 632343, email [log in to unmask]).
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