• understand the physical and theoretical basics behind each of the major geophysical techniques;

• understand when these basics can be best applied to engineering problems;
• collect data using geophysical equipment for geophysical investigations and assessments;
• reduce, process, and interpret geophysical data using up-to-date techniques and computer software;
• communicate effectively results from data acquisition and interpretation across an interdisciplinary environment;
• appreciate the interaction of engineering technology and society and the issues that arise from conflicting interests in this interaction

Who Should Attend?

Practicing engineers, consultants, geologists, drillers, engineering geologists, archaeologists, agricultural scientists and engineers and others professionals responsible for development or evaluation of site characterization studies, monitoring the subsurface, assessing properties of soils, that might benefit from the application of modern geophysical techniques. Faculty and students will learn methods that could be applied to cross-disciplinary research.

Course Modules

The course program will consist of two parts or modules: the first part will consist of overview of geophysical methods, understanding the principles involved in these methodologies, acquisition, processing and interpretation of measured geophysical data. The second part will consist of studies, discussions and analyses of a variety of case histories which will demonstrate practical use of geophysics spanning from; on-site assessment of infrastructure, precision agriculture, hydrologic monitoring, and environmental investigations, groundwater exploitation and exploration, foundation studies.

Course Outline (Part 1)

Potential Field Techniques

Gravity and Magnetism, introduction, theoretical and basic principles, their similarities and differences, instrumentation, field methodologies for high resolution and accuracy, interpretation, target identification, definition and characterization. Time varying gravity, Magnetic gradiometry.

Electrical Techniques

Resistivity, Induced polarization and  Self Potential; introduction, theoretical and basic principles,  field techniques, standard and Electrical Resistance Tomography, in the search for fluid targets, water, gas and pollution. Self Potential, Electroseismic and Electrokinetic signals and their significance in water investigations and fluid flow and leakage in Dams and other structures.

Electromagnetic Techniques

Ground Penetrating Radar , introduction, theoretical and basic principles, identification and characterization of structure and determining physical properties , Electromagnetic techniques and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance techniques in Hydrogeophysics and Pollution, as reconnaissance Tools. Controlled Source Magneto-Tellurics and other electromagnetic methods as more sophisticated techniques for specialist applications, introduction, theoretical and basic principles

Seismic Techniques

Seismic refraction, reflection and surface waves. Introduction, theoretical and basic principles of seismic waves Field data collection and a brief guide to reduction and interpretation. Shallow 2D and 3D seismic reflection and refraction for structure with noise-based microtremor, and surface waves and shear-wave techniques for estimating engineering properties. Microseismic monitoring and acoustic emission in mines, slope stability and landslides, hydrofracturing and other applications.

Rock Physics and Geomechanics for Petroleum Engineers

Model the seismic signature with respect to the behavior of the actual characters of physical properties of rocks which is studied in rock physics

Changes in geomechanical properties of oil fields providing clues in the fluid flow within the reservoirs which helps geoscientists and reservoir engineers to plan for Enhance Oil Recovery.

Borehole Geophysics

In order to better resolve targets especially in areas where reconnaissance geophysics has indicated useful targets may exist, we need to emphasize the use of well chosen borehole techniques using both drilled borehole and push techniques. These include Borehole radar, Self–potential and electrical resistivity as well as, of course, cross-hole seismic tomography.