The influence of soil moisture content and density on its small embankment electrical resistivity

Electrical resistivity method (ERM) has emerged as a promising alternative tool in sciences and engineering in the past decade. From past experience, the electrical resistivity value (ERV) obtained from resistivity survey has demonstrated some ambiguous outcomes that prove to be difficult to deliver...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Zainal Abidin, Mohd Hazreek, Saad, Rosli, Ahmad, Fauziah, Wijeyesekera, Devapriya Chitral
Format: Conference or Workshop Item
Published: 2013
Subjects:
Online Access:http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/4511/
http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/4511/1/MINEC%2D22.pdf
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Summary:Electrical resistivity method (ERM) has emerged as a promising alternative tool in sciences and engineering in the past decade. From past experience, the electrical resistivity value (ERV) obtained from resistivity survey has demonstrated some ambiguous outcomes that prove to be difficult to deliver in sound and definitive ways especially in engineering perspectives. Common practice in the past has always been questioned due to its qualitative anomaly and being image obsessed that led to undefined ambiguities derived from uncertainties in the soil. Hence, this study presents the results of an investigation into the influence of basic geotechnical properties with particular reference to moisture content and density on its electrical resistivity value using small trial embankment. A small embankment of Gravelly SAND and Silty SAND was tested using ABEM Terrameter SAS (4000) set in place to obtain the resistivity value in this small embankment constructed with soil placed in a loose condition. Soil samples obtained from three selected locations within the embankment was tested for moisture content (w), density (ρ), and particle size distribution. The observations showed that the ERV was a function of the moisture content and density variations of the soil and was also associated to soil particle variations. Gravelly SAND has a relationship of ERV ∞ 1/w and ERV ∞ ρ while Silty SAND showed a relationship of ERV ∞ 1/w and ERV ∞ 1/ρ. Furthermore, this study also showed that the ERV was high value which was possibly due to the influence of the loose soil embankment condition. Hence, careful interpretation needs to be considered especially when dealing with resistivity test in smaller than usual scale with soil being a loose condition.