Measuring Shear Wave Velocity Using Bender Elements
Leong, EC
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Yeo, SH
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Rahardjo, H
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

(Received 21 August 2003; accepted 27 January 2005)

Abstract
The use of bender element to measure shear wave velocity is popular due to its simplicity. However, there are still some uncertainties in the interpretation of the bender element test. In this paper, the use of bender elements in the determination of shear wave velocities of dry, unsaturated, and saturated soil specimens is examined with respect to the characteristics of the bender elements, waveform, magnitude, and frequency of the applied voltage to the transmitter bender element and method of travel time determination. The interpretation of the bender element test can be improved if two performance criteria are adopted: (1) a signal-to-noise ratio of at least 4 dB for the receiver signal, and (2) a wave path length to wavelength ratio of at least 3.33. Procedures to estimate the strain level associated with the shear wave velocity measurement using bender element are also described.

Keywords:
bender element, shear wave, signal-to-noise ratio, small strain, soil, travel time, velocity

Paper ID: GTJ12196
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ12196

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Author Leong, EC Affiliation School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Author Yeo, SH Affiliation School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Author Rahardjo, H Affiliation School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Author Leong EC, Yeo SH, Rahardjo H Title Measuring Shear Wave Velocity Using Bender Elements Symposium , Committee on