An assessment of laser vibrometry for the measurement of ground vibration

Muggleton, J.M. and Brennan, M.J. (2010) An assessment of laser vibrometry for the measurement of ground vibration. Brennan, M.J., Kovacic, Ivana, Lopes, V., Murphy, K., Petersson, B., Rizzi, S. and Yang, T. (eds.) In Recent Advances Structural Dynamics: Proceedings of the X International Conference. University of Southampton. 12pp .

Abstract

‘Mapping the Underworld’ [1] is a UK-wide, multi disciplinary, multi-university project, which aims to create a novel multi-sensor device that combines complementary technologies for remote buried utility service detection and location without resorting to extensive excavations. An essential technology to be combined into the device is low-frequency vibro-acoustics, and suitable techniques for detecting buried infrastructure, in particular plastic water pipes, are currently being investigated.

The proposed vibrational techniques rely on excitation of the ground or infrastructure as it comes up to the surface and subsequent measurement of the ground surface vibration in the vicinity. Up until now, geophones have been used for this ground surface measurement. However, the potential for using laser vibrometry is also being explored, the main perceived advantage being that a laser system would be non-contact, and therefore potentially easier and quicker to deploy.

In the preliminary measurements reported here, data acquired using both geophones and a laser vibrometer are compared, with the laser at normal incidence. A variety of ground surfaces are investigated in order to determine the potential scope of a laser system for this application.

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