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An analysis of amplitudes of refraction records of some shallow refraction profiles shot primarily for detailing the near-surface structure in a granitic terrain has yielded information on refractor properties: reduced amplitudes are plotted on amplitude-distance graphs. The negative power n to which distance should be raised to represent (elastic) amplitude decay with respect to distance due to spreading of the critically refracted wave involved is examined. Computed values of this "spreading index" n are close to n = 2 as predicted by the theory.With this value of n, amplitude data are processed to determine residual attenuation attributable to elastic absorption in the bedrock. A graphical approach for this purpose from comparison of amplitudeedistance graphs with the plots of amplitude decay due to spreading which is applicable to flat and horizontal refractor situations is suggested. Assuming residual attenuation to represent absorption in the granite bedrock, the computed coefficients of absorption, which vary from 0.5 to 3.90 km-' for a frequency of 50 Hz, are obtained.From amplitude graphs of reversed profiles it is shown that the amplitude differences plot bears a relation to lateral velocity changes in the refractor. From comparison of practical amplitude decay graphs with those computed for different subsurface models, it appears possible to detect fractured rock occurrences in the refractor. I N T R O D U C T I O NCritically refracted waves are characterized by a dynamical range that is most conducive to amplitude studies on refraction records of routine surveys. These studies attain significance because the waves travel in the refractor over distances comparable with the shot-detector intervals. The nature of refracted wave amplitude decay with distance therefore depends on the physical and geological characteristics of the refracting rock formations. O'Brien (1967) has shown that from the magnitude of residual attenuation of these waves different types of refractors in sedimentary sections *

The ultrasonic profiling method of measuring the compressional and shear wave velocities in cylindrical rock samples is extended to measurements in some weathered and fresh granite blocks collected from the Hyderabad (India) region. This possibility of the method provides a means of investigating the elastic properties of the less compact rocks, of which the near‐surface formations are particularly important. In this article the important parts of the ultrasonic profiling instrument developed are described and the relevant aspects of the seismic wave fields and identification of the individual waves in the wavetrain responses to longitudinal excitation are considered. Compressional, shear and surface (Rayleigh) wave velocities in some fresh and weathered granites are detailed. The compressional velocities range from 4.8 km/s to 5.5 km/s in fresh granites and lie between 1.1 km/s and 2.5 km/s in weathered granites. Young's modulus and Poisson's ratios computed from the measured velocities are also presented. An empirical relation of the form log E= 4.27 + 2.11 log Vp between Young's modulus E and compressional velocities Vp in the fresh granites studied is deduced. The versatility of the approach is thus demonstrated.

The blind zone problem is examined with a view to provide a simple means of solving the problem in the general case of arbitrary number of refraction layers constituting the overburden to the masked layers. Considering the first arrival refraction interval corresponding to the masked layer which reduces to zero under blind zone conditions, a method to solve the problem is presented. Derivation of the critical distance expression is also included and convenient solutions to compute the thicknesses of the blind zone and its immediate overlayer are worked out. Based on test calculations on some known instances, the efficacy of the method is illustrated. A Fortran program for use when large numbers of refraction layers are involved under the overburden or when more than one masked layer is encountered is available from the authors.

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