SmartSolo Scientific

How to deploy SmartSolo IGU-16HR 3C in the field – and why it matters.

Proper burial ensures high-quality data. Here's the simple workflow:
Dig a hole – slightly larger than the node
Plant the node – "N" arrow pointing North, bubble leveled
Refill & compact – ensures tight coupling with the earth
Power on – tap near the LED
Scan – wait for green LED (GPS locked), then record deployment via SmartSolo App
Bury – cover with soil (

Case Study: Active Fault Mapping Using Ambient Noise Imaging

🛣️ Active faults beneath the surface are a major hazard in geotechnical engineering. Identifying active fault zones is therefore a primary task in site investigation.

📍 In this case study, a research team deployed 200 SmartSolo smart seismic sensors across a fault zone in Beijing. With just one hour of ambient noise data, they successfully mapped the fault location.

🔎 The results showed excellent agreement with previous active-source surveys — but at a lower cost, without the need for explosives, and well-suited for urban environments.

🎖️ Passive-source ambient noise imaging — an efficient new approach for active fault mapping.

🔎 Case Study: Dense Array Shear-Wave Splitting Analysis in Shiba

📍 A research team deployed SmartSolo three-component dense arrays in the seismically active Shiba region, recording 359 local events for shear-wave splitting analysis.

📝 Results show a dominant NW-SE fast-wave polarization direction, consistent with surface GPS and deep anisotropy data, suggesting coupled crustal deformation. The average delay time of 3.83 ms/km indicates elevated upper-crustal anisotropy near fault intersections.

⛰️ This study demonstrates that dense arrays combined with shear-wave splitting analysis effectively resolve detailed crustal anisotropy in complex tectonic settings.

🏙️ Urban active-source seismic survey with nodal seismometers – key challenges & solutions

📍 In a recent urban active-source survey in Suzhou, engineers faced three typical challenges: poor coupling on hard pavement, high cultural noise, and time synchronization issues with an older seismic source.

📝 Solutions deployed:
Disc-shaped foot for nodal seismometers to improve coupling on paved surfaces
Nighttime operations + 5-ton vibratory source (10-second sweep) + 30-fold coverage to boost SNR
External GPS time recorder (TB Recorder) to sync the source with nodal receivers

The SmartSolo system, with built-in electromagnetic shielding and interchangeable foot designs, delivered high-SNR data efficiently — minimizing HSE risks and operational complexity.

🏙️ SmartSolo nodal seismographs for civil defense structure detection

📝 A known air-raid shelter (~2m wide, long extension) was surveyed using microtremor lines deployed perpendicular to its orientation. Both linear and three-circle circular arrays produced consistent results, with clear anomalies matching the shelter's actual location. The shelter appeared as a low-velocity anomaly, with slightly higher apparent shear-wave velocity from the linear array than from the circular array.

Karst detection for a metro project using microtremor surveying with IGU-BD3C-5 seismic nodal system

✅ High consistency with borehole results
✅ Fills geological information gaps between boreholes
✅ Enables precise cavity localization and scale prediction prior to shield tunneling through karst areas

Various array configurations were deployed. Results matched well with later borehole verification.

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✈️Monitoring delayed settlement beneath an airport runway using SmartSolo IGU-BD3C-5 seismic nodal system

🛫 Shield tunneling risks causing delamination voids between pavement and tunnel. We detected hidden voids, determined their location and size, and monitored ground stability after tunneling to prevent soil loss.

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Results below:

Extend Field Deployment Time Without Mid-Project Battery Retrieval

🔋SmartSolo IGU-16HR 3C 5Hz & 2Hz, IGU-BD3C-5 series all support external battery connection.

🏆 Ideal for long-term passive seismic surveys and dense array deployment.

📢 For existing IGU-16HR 3C 5Hz users, you can easily upgrade to the external battery solution at a low cost without replacing the whole unit.

🌐 Beyond Seismic Exploration – IMU-3C in High-Altitude Hazard Monitoring

🏔Avalanches and debris flows strike fast. Traditional monitoring falls short.

📍 SmartSolo IMU-3C detects ground vibrations and infrasound from avalanches and debris flows — reliably, even in harsh, unattended high-altitude environments.

☀️High sensitivity. Broadband response. Solar-ready. Built for the cold.

📝 From exploration to disaster warning.

🌏MASW & MAM: From Entry Efficiency to High-End Precision

Choosing the right tools for Vs30? SmartSolo has you covered.

💡Option A – 1C Nodes: Cost-effective for large-scale mapping. Optimized for S**C & MASW.
💡Option B – 3C Nodes: For complex sites. Supports HVSR, Love waves & joint inversion.

🔎Why nodal? No cables, any array geometry, GPS-sync.

🪄From foundation testing to microzoning – SmartSolo fits your project.

📩Which solution fits your next project? Let’s discuss in the comments!