Dispersion curve inversion

This tutorial shows how to invert a dispersion curve measured for surface waves. It is based on dinverdc module used inside dinver framework.

Getting ready

Start Dinver with Surface Wave Inversion module.

At first glance, the interface might look a little bit messy. If it is the first time you start dinver, you'd better close all windows until having an empty workspace. The various tools will be displayed one by one and explained in this tutorial, in a logical order.

Importing the dispersion curve to fit

• Activate the Target panel in menu Tools.
• Select the Dispersion option. Leave the Misfit weigth and the Min. misfit to their default values, 1 and 0, respectively.
• Click on Set to load the dispersion curve, the Dispersion curve target is displayed.

Load a dispersion curve and fix its frequency sampling:

Loading a dispersion curve

• Load a dispersion curve from a text file (e.g. Test_Rayeigh_2modes.disp). It is a theoretical curve computed using tutorial Computing a theoretical dispersion curve.
• Select the fundamental curve

Use Curve data scroll bar and Visible button to identify it.

It is the curve defined over the complete frequency range and with higher slowness.

• Re-sample it from 2 to 20 Hz on log scale with 50 samples (menu Actions/Resample).
• Cut it from 2 to 20 Hz (menu Actions/Cut).
• Select the first higher mode curve

Use Curve data scroll bar and Visible button to identify it.

This curve is not defined over the complete frequency range and it has a lower slowness.

• Remove it (menu Actions/Remove).

Achieving a good frequency sampling is an art, for a better understanding see Curve sampling.

At this step, the Dispersion curve target should contain only one curve, the fundamental mode. Make sure the mode table contains only one item like this:

Fundamental mode ready for inversion

Defining the parameter space

Defining the parameter is the key point of the inversion. At this step you have to figure out what information you already know about the ground structure and information you would like to extract. More details on how to achieve a suitable parameterization.

• Activate the Parameter panel in menu Tools.
• Add two layers for Vp profile by clicking two times on Add button in Compressional velocity profile.
• Add one layer for Nu profile by clicking once on Add button in Poisson's ratio profile.
• Add two layers for Vs profile by clicking two times on Add button in Shear velocity profile.
• Add one layer for Rho profile by clicking once on Add button in Density profile.
• Link Vp interface to Vs interface by selecting Vs0 in Linked to combo box.

At this step, the parameterization describes a ground structure with one layer over a half-space with uniform Vp and Vs in the top and bottom layer. The default range for values is relatively large. Vp contrast is forced to be at the same depth of Vs contrast, and only one parameter for depth is kept. Poisson's ratio is not a parameter but a condition imposed to Vp and Vs values: computed Poisson's ratios must remain between 0.2 and 0.5 (usual values for soils and rocks). The parameter panel should look like this one:

Parameter panel for a very simple ground structure

Running the inversion

Before going any further, it is wise to save the current environment, i.e. the target and parameter space definitions into a .dinver file. Select maneu File/Save as .... Target and parameterization defined here above are available with file Dinverdc_tutorial-1.dinver.