A Geophysical System Combining Electrical Resistivity and Spontaneous Potential for Detecting, Delineating, and Monitoring Slope Stability

About the report:

Various geophysical electrical measuring techniques, i.e., spontaneous potential (SP) terrain conductivity meter (TCM), and conventional electrical resistivity/conductivity (ER), were tested to determine their effectiveness in detecting, delineating, and monitoring weak zones and layers along three slopes in western Virginia. In addition, the SP technique in conjunction with an automatic measuring system (AMS) were used to monitor two slopes in real time in order to determine their stability with regard to environmental factors, such as heavy precipitation. Novel techniques were employed to determine electrical properties. In addition to the AMS, a unique resistivity/conductivity sensor was fabricated, tested, and deployed with the use of a small penetrometer. The special sensor cone penetrometer system was able to obtain depth profiles of conductivity and soil strength on steep slopes where conventional penetrometers would be unsafe to operate. The data collected by these various electrical measuring techniques were then compared with each other as well as with environmental and geotechnical data collected as part of this study and in previous investigations.

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