Features of elastic wave propagation in a slope surface with different exciter energy

This paper outlines an experimental analysis of elastic wave generated by dropping a hammer from some fall heights at a natural slope. Laboratory tests included triaxial tests and slope model tests show that elastic wave velocity continuously decreases in response of moisture content and deformation, it can apply to predict slope failure. For a purpose of developing an elastic wave monitoring system using on natural slope, field investigation is necessary to know the relationship of wave propagation distance and exciter energy. To understand the behavior of elastic wave propagation in natural slope surface, a field investigation has been conducted at a slope located at Kumamoto ASO area, Japan. This slope was suffered from the Kumamoto earthquake at 2016/4/14 and some big cracks appeared on the slope surface. In this study, seismic refraction method has been applied to measure the thickness of slope surface layer and compared with the results of dynamic cone penetrometer test (DCPT). Elastic wave velocities and attenuation have been analyzed with different exciter energy. Exciter energy is generated by a 5kg hammer vertically free dropping down from difference high like 10cm. 20cm. 30cm, 40cm and 50cm. Elastic wave frequency characteristics are also compared with different exciter energy and different distance on this slope.