Spatially Constrained Inversion of Surface Wave Data to Build Shear Wave Velocity Models

A reliable shear wave velocity model is a prerequisite for the assessment of seismic site response at regional and local scale. 2D or 3D velocity models can be obtained by interpolation of tests at different locations. Surface wave tests are often used in this context because of their cost effectiveness and efficiency. As any characterization method based on the solutions of an inverse problem, surface wave analysis suffers from solution non-uniqueness. Laterally constrained inversion provides a robust framework for the interpretation of surface wave data in the perspective of building pseudo-2D/3D shear wave velocity models. In the paper three case histories in different geological settings and with different characteristics of the experimental dataset are reported and discussed.