MASW & VS30 Shear Wave Velocity Surveys in Cambridge

Our standard single-line VS30 survey in the Cambridge area runs between £1,360 and £2,240, depending on site access, the length of the array required, and whether we need to coordinate traffic management for roadside locations. A multi-line package for larger developments typically falls in the upper end of that range per line, with a slight discount applied when multiple lines are acquired on the same day. Every quote includes the field crew, all equipment, data processing, and the signed technical report with the shear wave velocity profile.

MASW is a surface-based, non-invasive method that gives you a continuous shear wave velocity profile without drilling. It excels at capturing lateral variability because you can move the array quickly and run multiple lines in a single day. A downhole seismic test in a borehole gives you higher vertical resolution at the cost of being a single-point measurement. In Cambridge, where the Gault Clay thickness and weathering grade can change noticeably over short distances, we often recommend running one MASW line and one downhole test in a key borehole location. The two datasets calibrate each other and produce a ground model that is far more solid than either method alone.

We need a clear, straight run of approximately 69 metres for a standard 24-channel array with 2-metre geophone spacing. The ground surface should be reasonably level—grass, compacted gravel, asphalt, or bare soil all work fine. We cannot set up on loose rubble or heavily vegetated ground without some preparation. For sites in central Cambridge with limited space, we can shorten the array and accept a shallower investigation depth, though we will discuss the trade-offs with you before confirming the survey design. The source impact is a sledgehammer strike, so noise is minimal and we do not require any special permits for most locations.