NPTEL Online Certification Course
APPLIED SEISMOLOGY FOR ENGINEERS
Assignment 07: Detailed Solution
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
1. Which of the following waves can pass through both solids and liquids?
a. S-Waves
b. P-Waves
c. SH-Waves
d. SV-Waves
Answer: b. P- Waves
2. Match the waves with their corresponding characteristics.
Wave type Property
1. P wave i. Displacement of particle up and down
2. S wave ii. Particle motion along the direction of motion
3. SH waves iii. Displacement of particles side to side
4. SV Waves iv. Particle motion perpendicular to the direction of motion
a. 1-iii, 2- iv, 3 – i, 4 – ii
b. 1-ii, 2- iv, 3 – iii, 4 – is
c. 1-i, 2- ii, 3 – iv, 4 – iii
d. 1-iv, 2- ii, 3 – iii, 4 – i
Answer: b. 1-ii, 2-iv, 3- iii, 4-i
3. The shear wave velocity of _________ is zero.
a. Clay
b. Water
c. Saturated clay
d. Silty sand
Answer: b. Water
4. _____________ waves arrive second at any recording station.
a. P waves
b. Longitudinal wave
c. S waves
d. None of the above
Answer: c. S wave
NPTEL Online Certification Course
APPLIED SEISMOLOGY FOR ENGINEERS
Assignment 07: Detailed Solution
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
5. Which of the following statement is true about soil columns A and B with the following
properties:
Properties Soil A Soil B
Density in kg/m 3 1600 1500
Shear Modulus in Pa 4.2 x 108 4.2 x 108
a. The shear wave velocities of both the soils are equal
b. The shear wave velocity of soil A is greater than that of soil B
c. The shear wave velocity of soil A is lesser than that of soil B
d. None of the above
Answer: c. The shear wave velocity of soil A is lesser than that of soil B
Explanation: As the shear modulus of both the soils are same, the soil with higher
density will possess lower shear wave velocity. Therefore, the shear wave velocity of
soil A is lesser than that of soil B.
6. The epicentre of an earthquake with 6.5 Mw was located at an azimuth of 150˚ from
station A. The ground motion record of the earthquake, recorded at station A will
withhold characteristics of ____________________.
a. P waves only
b. Both S and P waves
c. S waves only
d. None of the above
Answer: a. P waves only
7. Estimate the P wave velocity of a material with poison’s ratio 0.25, constraint modulus
of 24.3 MPa and density of 2.18 g/cc.
a. 200.59 m/s
b. 100 m/s
c. 105.58 m/s
d. 235.25 m/s
Answer: c. 105.58 m/s
Explanation: Vp = (M/ρ) = (24.3 x 106 Pa / 2180 Kgm-3)0.5 = 105.58 m/s
NPTEL Online Certification Course
APPLIED SEISMOLOGY FOR ENGINEERS
Assignment 07: Detailed Solution
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
8. For a material with density and P wave propagation velocity as ‘a’ and ‘5a’ respectively.
Estimate the specific impedance of the medium.
a. 25a
b. 5a
c. 25a2
d. 5a2
Answer: d. 5a2
Explanation: Specific Impedance = density x Vp = a x 5a = 5a2
9. Estimate the shear wave velocity of a material with shear modulus of 28.12 MPa and
density of 2.2 g/cc.
a. 200 m/s
b. 235 m/s
c. 110 m/s
d. 113 m/s
Answer: d. 113 m/s
Explanation: Vs = (G/ρ)0.5
= (28.12 x 106 Pa / 2200 Kgm-3)0.5
= 113.06 m/s
10. The range of azimuth for S wave shadow zone on either side are ________ and
_________.
a. 103˚, 103˚
b. 143˚, 103˚
c. 103˚, 143˚
d. 143˚, 143˚
Answer: a. 103˚, 103˚
