WA Technical night: Regis Neroni

Application of the passive seismic Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) technique for embankment integrity monitoring (and a bit more)

Embankments are common features in mine sites necessary for tailings storage, surface water management or general infrastructure such as dewatering ponds. Differing construction methodologies, from loosely placed waste material to engineered embankments with individually compacted lifts, will achieve varying density, strength and permeability. Conventional construction quality assurance is however not always possible without causing significant interruptions to the construction program. Estimating levees’ bulk shear wave velocities via passive seismic HVSR surveying as a proxy for stiffness is a practical, continuous and non-invasive method that can be carried out with limited construction interruption. Field data acquired over the length of several embankment types demonstrate the very good correlation between estimated shear wave velocities and the levees’ degree of compaction. As a result, alternative construction methodologies can be quantitatively benchmarked against an apparent shear wave velocity spectrum with fully engineered embankments and loose waste dumps as end-members. Collection of repeated measurements over time also discriminates stable embankments from altering ones, and constitutes a cost-effective way to identify possible zones of weakness before hazardous failure.

Regis Neroni graduated in 2006 with a French Master’s degree in Geosciences, Environment and Risks from Strasbourg University. After spending a few years undertaking ground electrical surveys in outback Australia, he consulted to numerous mineral exploration companies with active projects mainly in Australia, SE Asia and Africa, alongside some of the most talented consulting geophysicists in Australia. He then worked as a company geophysicist for Barrick and Rio Tinto where he took part in multi-commodity exploration programs throughout Australasia. He is currently Fortescue Metals Group’s Lead Geophysicist and steers the company’s geophysical endeavours across their Pilbara-based operations and exploration projects in Australia and South America.

Refreshments and finger food will be provided.
Please register for catering purposes prior to close of business Monday 12 March 2018