Sandmeier geophysical software - REFLEXW guide

Introduction to the interpretation of seismic refraction data within REFLEXW

In the following the complete interpretation of seismic refraction data is described including import of
the seismic data, picking the first onsets, putting together the picked traveltimes, assigning to specific
layers and doing the layer inversion.
Another possibility of interpreteting seismic refraction data is the refraction tomography (see
modelling/tomography guide).
I. Import the data and pick the first onsets (done within the module 2D-
dataanalysis)
1. Enter the module 2D-dataanalysis
2. Activate the option import
3. Choose the following options within the
import menu:
data type: single shot
rec.start: start of the receiver line
rec.end: end of the receiver line
shot-pos.: position of the shot
outputformat: 32 bit floating point for a higher
data resolution
To be considered for SEGY or SEG2-data: the
option swap bytes controls if the original data
originate from UNIX (activate option) or DOS-
machines (deactivate option). If the conversion
fails try to change this parameter.
The following plot options should be set (the
option may be activated within the import menu
(the speed button below the help option):
Plotmode: Wigglemode
tracenormalize activated
XYScaledPlot activated
Sandmeier geophysical software - REFLEXW guide
4. Activate the option Convert to Reflex and choose the wanted original datafile from the filelist.
REFLEXW uses the individual
traceheader coordinates stored with each
trace for the further traveltime analysis. The
coordinates defined above (shot-pos. and
rec.start and rec.end) only serve as so called
header coordinates and may be used to
actualize the traceheader coordinates (see
below).
REFLEXW automatically reads in the shot
and receiver positions of the individual
traces if these are defined within the
original files and stores them into the
traceheader coordinates. After the import
the traceheader coordinates are
automatically shown within a tabella.
Normally the x-coordinates are used, the y-
and z-coordinates are only listed for
completeness.
If the traceheader coordinates are not correct (e.g. because they are not stored within the original files)
these coordinates must be defined separately:
a. within the tabella - enter the correct values within the tabella or use the option actualize from
fileheader and then save changes in order to actualize the traceheadercoordinates based on the entered
fileheader coordinates (shot position, rec. start and end, see above). To be considered for manual
editing: distance value and rec.-x value should be equal for each trace.
b. within the traceheader menu. The traceheader menu is entered within the fileheader menu using
the option ShowTraceHeader. Here different actualization options are available. You may choose
either fileheader, ASCII-file or tabella and then you must press the button actualize to actualize the
traceheader coordinates. For a further description of the individual options please refer to the online-
help of the traceheader menu.
5. Do any processing if necessary or change the settings within the fileheader (option edit/fileheader),
eg. the start time, .....
6. Pick the first arrivals and save them on file. It is recommended to use the automatic name for saving
the picks. It is not necessary to enter the layer number and the velocity within the save picks menu.
These parameters are only necessary for reflection data. The warning message may be ignored.
7. Do this procedure for all wanted shots. Then the picked traveltimes are ready for interpretation.
8. You also may perform a simple intercepttime interpretation within the 2D-dataanalysis module.
For that purpose load the wanted shot, enter the option analyse/velocity adaptation and activate the
option intercept time analysis. Now click on the data and move the cursor with clicked mouse button to
the first bending point and leave the mouse button. The first point is automatically set to time zero and
to the shot position. Activate again the left mouse button and move to the next bending point, and so
on. The velocites derived from these settings must increase with depth. After having finished the
settings the depth and velocities of the calculated 1D-model are shown in a window.
To be considered: if the geophone positions are not equidistant you must activate the plotoption
traceheader distancies in order to plot the traces at these positions stored within the traceheader
distance positions (distance position should be equal rec.x position).
Sandmeier geophysical software - REFLEXW guide
II. interpretation of the picked traveltimes (done within the module traveltime
analysis 2D)
1. Enter the module traveltime analysis 2D
2. Load the wanted traveltimes which shall be interpreted together - option file/load traveltimes.
Choose all wanted pickfiles which shall be interpreted together - multiple choice using the shift or str-
key.
3. Use the option edit/Insert
shotZerotraveltime in order to insert a
zero traveltime at all shot points if this
zero traveltime is not still defined. This is
useful in order to better determine the
velocities of the uppermost layer.
4. Enter a filename for the actually put
together traveltimes and save them on
disk.
5. Increase the layer-nr to 1
6. Activate the option assign in order to assign the wanted traveltimes to layer 1.
7. Assign the traveltimes to layer 1 by using the different possibilities - see also online help. The
traveltimes assigned to layer1 will be highlighted (default colour green), save the traveltimes.
8. Activate the option combine in order to do the inversion for the first layer (to be considered: the
inversion for the first layer only consists of the determination of the velocity).
9. Activate the option wavefront-inversion and a new window opens (the modelling window) and a
model has been automatically created consisting of one layer with the velocities taken from the linear
regression analysis of the assigned traveltimes.
10. Do some changes of the model if you want (e.g. remove some unwanted velocity points) - to be
considered: the option topography should be deactivated.
11. Enter a modelfile name and save this model on disk

12. Close the modelling window

13. Increase the layer-nr. to 2
14. Activate the option assign in order to assign
the wanted traveltimes to layer 2.
15. Assign the traveltimes to layer 2 by using the
different possibilities - see also online help. The
traveltimes assigned to layer 2 will be
highlighted (default colour blue).
Sandmeier geophysical software - REFLEXW guide
16. Activate the option combine in order to do the inversion for the second layer
17. Enter the forward and the reverse shot numbers - these numbers define the range for doing the
inversion of the actual layer
18. Activate the option generate when the option
autocombine is chosen - a complete combined
traveltimecurve (forward and reverse) is
generated and the total forward and reverse
traveltimes are shown.
19. If total forward and reverse traveltimes differ
significantly (e.g. more than 5 ms) activate the
option balance in order to balance the forward
and reverse traveltime branches.
20. Activate the option wavefront-inversion - a file choice window opens and you must choose the
modelfile containing the first layer already interpreted.
21. The chosen modelfile is shown within the modelling window- the inversion must be started
manually within the RayGroupBox on the right hand side of the model. To be considered: The max.
depth of the model must be choosen in such a way that the max. estimated depth of the layerboundary
to be inverted is smaller than this max. depth value.
22. Enter the wanted increment DeltaX for the wavefront inversion (e.g. 0.5 m)
23. Start the wavefront-inversion using the option start. Note: If the inversion fails (because of not
setting an appropirate max. depth values, e.g.) do not use the options start to start the inversion a
second time. Please shut the modelling window and activate again the option wavefront-inversion in
the module traveltime analysis 2D to start the inversion again (ref. to 20).
24. The new layer boundary is plotted into the model.
25. Extrapolate the inverted boundary to the model borders (option hor.extrap. or extrapolate) and do
some changes of the model if you want to (see also modelling guide).
26. Save the model using the old or another filname.
27. Close the modelling menu.
28. Repeat step 13-27 for layer 3 and so on.
29. After having done the complete inversion the model should always be checked and changed if
necessary using the forward raytracing included within the modelling menu. For that purpose please
refer to the modelling guide, chap. III.