There are many general geophysical textbooks dealing with the subject of
seismic refraction. As a rule, they treat the principles and broad
aspects ofthe method comprehensively but problems associated with
engineering seismics at shallow depths are treated to a lesser extent.
The intention of this book is to emphasize some practical and
theoretical aspects of detailed refraction surveys for civil engineering
projects and water prospecting. The book is intended for students of
geophysics, professional geophysicists and geologists as well as for
personnel who, without being directly involved in seismic work, are
planning surveys and evaluating and using seismic results. The latter
category will probably find Chapters 1, 5 and 6 of most interest.
Interpretation methods, field work and interpretation of field examples
constitute the main part of the book. When writing I have tried to
concentrate on topics not usually described in the literature. In fact,
some discussions on interpretation and correction techniques and on
sources of error have not been published previously. The field examples,
which are taken from sites with various geological conditions, range
from simple to rather complicated interpretation problems. Thanks are
due to A/S Geoteam (Norway), Atlas Copco ABEM AB (Sweden), BEHACO
(Sweden) and the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute for allowing me to use
field examples and certain data from their investigations. I should
particularly like to thank Professor Dattatray S. Parasnis of the
University of Luleii (Sweden) for revising the manuscript and for his
numerous invaluable suggestions.
