Detection of Leakage Through Subsurface Barriers Using Guided Acoustic Waves

by K. R. Maser, MIT, Cent for Construction Research, & Education, Cambridge, MA, USA,
M. N. Toksoz, MIT, Cent for Construction Research, & Education, Cambridge, MA, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Environmental Engineering

Abstract:

The primary method for preventing hazardous liquid and leachates from entering the groundwater is the use of a physical barrier. These barriers are susceptible to a number of mechanisms of deterioration and failure. Guided acoustic waves (Stoneley waves) offer the potential of both identifying and locating failure at an early stage in its development. Changes in saturation, porosity, and permeability associates with various failure modes can be directly inferred through changes in velocity and attentuation of Stoneley waves. Calculations show that the magnitude of these changes associated with typical failures are well within the measurement sensitivity of commercial field equipment. (Edited author abstract. )

Subject Headings: Acoustics | Wave measurement | Failure modes | Failure analysis | Water treatment | Subsurface environment | Rocks

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