THE USE OF SEISMIC REFRACTION SURVEY IN GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION: A CASE STUDY OF THE FUPRE SOLAR FARM, DELTA STATE, NIGERIA.

ABSTRACT In this study, seismic refraction method was used to provide a 2-dimensional (2-D) information of the subsurface geological features. This approach simplified the characterization of the subsurface conditions of a relatively large area of land (Fupre stadium) especially when it is required for engineering construction purposes. Two traverses were done in the stadium at the Federal university of petroleum resources in Effurun. The traverses were 100m and 145m respectively. The results of the seismic refraction method disclosed three layers for each traverse. Three layers was gotten from the survey of the study area. The thickness of the first layer was found to vary between topsoil and a depth of about 6 – 8m. The second layer about 22 – 26m. The topsoil was inferred to be unconsolidated loose dry sand and has a low velocity of about 284.45 – 292.72m/s, while the second layer was inferred to be semi consolidated mixture of sand and clay having a velocity of about 419.19 – 439.19m/s and the third layer which have the highest seismic velocity which is the consolidated layer of wet sand having a velocity of 729.79 - 765.55m/s. Other geotechnical parameters were calculated which includes parameters like Shear Modulus (GO), Oedometric Modulus (Ed), Bulk Modulus (MO), Young’s Modulus (Ey).