Abstract
Elastic waves generated by a controlled dynamic load applied on the surface of soil deposits yield useful tools for non destructive testing of the systems to determine the elastic properties of the soils and their variation with depth. A number of methods for the non destructive testing have been developed and are being used in practice. The objective of this paper is to examine some of the basic concepts related to P-SV wave propagation in layered media and their dynamic response due to the vertical harmonic point load applied on the soil surface. A proper understandings of these concepts is necessary for a correct interpretation of the field data and for improving the accuracy of the estimation of the soil properties at low strain values by using the spectral analysis of surface waves or the Rayleigh wave method.
