Geophysical tomography in engineering geological applications: a mini-review with examples

Abstract

An overview of the geophysical tomography interpretation method is presented. Two approaches are reviewed, (1) deterministic tomography inversion, developed for rock elasticity investigations, and (2) probability tomography im- aging, developed in the domain of potential field methods. The theoretical basis of both approaches is initially outlined, then selected laboratory and field applications in different areas of engineering geology are presented and discussed. In particular, an ultrasonic laboratory experiment for the determination of the mechanical features of a block of marble and a crosshole seismic field experiment for quality assurance of a concrete placement are shown at first as examples of deter- ministic tomography inversion. Then, a geoelectrical field experiment aimed at detecting pollution leaks from a waste disposal and a self-potential field experiment for water flow modeling in a landslide are presented as examples of prob- ability tomography imaging.