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Quantitative interpretation of VES

Method · May 1986

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Jassim M Thabit
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Quantitative interpretation of VES
The quantitative interpretation of vertical electrical sounding(VES) data has been
used to determine the resistivity and thicknesses with depths of different electrical
horizons (Layers) from the apparent resistivity field curves.

There are many methods used in the quantitative interpretation, but two of them are
widely used. Both methods are based on a comparison between the field curves and
theoretical master curves. The first method is complete curve matching, which
requires a large number of theoretical master curves, so it is rarely used in comparison
with the second method, which is called partial curve matching. This method requires
a few numbers theoretical master curves. However, most theoretical master curves,
which are used in the manual interpretation can be found in the following references
(Compagnie General de Geophysique, 1963; Orellana and Mooney, 1966;
Rijkswaterstaat,1969).

1- Complete Curve Matching.

This method is based on a comparison between the field curves and theoretical
master curves, and is usually carried out by using the sets of two and three -layers
theoretical master curves in most times, to apply the complete curve matching method
to the interpretation of three layer field curves , as in the steps below:

1- Plot the field curves on a double logarithm transparent graph sheet with a cycle of
62.5 mm, and determines the type of field curve (A, H, K, or Q) by inspection and
selects the applicable set of theoretical or master curves to find the good match
between the field curve and one of the theoretical curves.

2-Superimpose the transparent paper of the field curve onto the theoretical or master
curves.

3-Move one sheet concerning the other, keeping the vertical axes parallel, until the
field curve fits with one of the master curves. In this case, the interpretation between
field and theoretical curves is permitted.

4- Determine cross-1(+) on the transparent paper, which indicate the coordinate

origin of the theoretical curves (h 1 , ρ 1 ) equal to (1, 1), and also mark resistivity (ρ 2
and ρ3) on transparent paper. Then determine the thickness ratio (E 2 /E 1 ) from the
theoretical curve which matches with field curve, and determine the resistivity ratio of
layers (ρ 1/ ρ 1 , ρ 2/ ρ 1, ρ 3/ ρ 1) from the values of ρ 1 , ρ 2 , and ρ 3 of the set of theoretical
curves.

5- The thickness of the first layer ( E 1) or (h 1) will be determined from vertical

dropping of cross-1 on the horizontal axes of theoretical curves, and the thickness of
the second layer (E 2 ) or (h 1) can be calculated from the ratio (E 2 /E 1) or (h 2 /h 1) .

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6-The resistivity of the first layer (ρ 1 ) will be determined from horizontal dropping of
cross -1 on the vertical axes of theoretical curves. The resistivity of the second layer
(ρ 2 ) will be equal to the mark of resistivity (ρ 2 ) on vertical axes, and the resistivity of
the third layer can be determined from the mark of resistivity (ρ 3 ).

7- A perfect match will rarely be obtained, but interpolation between master curves
will usually be satisfactory, as mentioned in (Orellana and Mooney, 1966; Keller and
Frischnicht, 1970). An example of this interpretation procedure is given in Figure (1).

Figure (1):-Interpretation by complete curve matching.

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2 -Partial Curve Matching (Auxiliary point method).
The partial curve matching method or (Auxiliary point method) includes two
methods; the first is Orellana, while the second is the Ebert method. Both methods
are carried out using the sets of two and three layers theoretical master curves. In
general, the theoretical basis of the partial curve matching method depends on the
partition of the field curve during the interpretation steps (Orellana and Mooney,
1966; Keller and Frischnicht, 1970).

A- Three-layer interpretation using two-layer masters (Orellana method).

Orellana and Mooney (1966) have shown that the asymptotic behavior of H and A
type curve depends only upon (1) resistivity in the deepest layer, and (2) longitudinal
conductance (S), of the overlying section. Based upon this, they have introduced a
graphic interpretation procedure for H and A- type three-layer field curves. It will be
shown in a later section that the procedures are applicable to four-layer or five-layer
curves whenever the left-hand portion of the curve is H or A -type. To apply the
Orellana method to the interpretation of H and A - type of three–layers field curve ,
proceed as follows:-

1- Check the shape of the field cure to establish that it is either type H or type A.
Match the left-hand portion of the field curve with two-layer theoretical or master
curves, put a cross -1on the field curve which indicates to coordinate origin of the
two-layer theoretical master curves, and also other mark ρ 2 . The values E 1 or h 1
and ρ 2 of first layer are calculated where they represent horizontally and the vertical
axes for cross -1 respectively, as for mark ρ 2 , it is represented ρ 2 .

2-On the transparent paper containing the field curve, draw a horizontal line at the
ordinate of ρ2.

3- Superimpose the transparent paper onto the two-layer master curves sheet. Keep
axes parallel at all times.

4- Move one sheet concerning the other (Keep axes parallel) until the right-hand
portion of the field curve matches one of the master curves. Put a cross -2 on the field
curve which indicate to coordinate origin of the two-layer theoretical master curves,
and also other mark ρ3.

5- Superimpose the transparent paper containing the field curve onto a blank sheet of
the logarithmic paper to the same scale. Place the first cross at the origin (coordinate
1-1) of one of the cycles of the logarithmic paper (Keep axes parallel).

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6- Read the coordinate on the logarithmic paper corresponding to the position of the
cross. The horizontal coordinate will be designated (X), the vertical coordinate (Y).
Therefore the thickness of the second layer equal:-
E 2 =(X-Y) E 1
E 2 or h 1 may also be computed graphically as follows: with the field curve sheet still
superposed on the blank sheet as in step (5), read the abscissa value on the field curve
sheet corresponding to the (X-Y) value on the blank sheet, this gives E2. An example
of this interpretation procedure is given in Figure (2).

ρ1

ρf
Auxiliary line

h1 hf

Figure (2):-Interpretation of 3-lyare field curve using 2-lyare master curve (Orellana
method).

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B- Three-layer interpretation using two-layer masters (Ebert
method).

Ebert method is carried out using the sets of two and three layers theoretical master
curves with the help of the auxiliary graph of (A, Q, H, and K) types, (Zohdy, 1965).
In general, the theoretical basis of the partial curve matching method depend on
lessening the number of layers of field curve during the interpretation process,
through merging the top two layers with a single fictitious layer, it has fictitious
resistivity and thickness (Orellana and Mooney, 1966 ; Keller and Frischnicht ,
1970). The resistivity (h f ) and thickness (ρ f ) of the fictitious layer are given by the
horizontal and vertical coordinates of an auxiliary point designated the cross-2.To
apply the Ebert method to the interpretation of three-layer field curve, proceed as
follows:-

1- Identify the field curve from its shape as to type (A, K, Q, or H). Select the
corresponding auxiliary point diagram, which accompanies the master curve set.

2- Match the left-hand portion of the field curve with a two-layer master curve.
During this step, the position of the cross (1) and of the resistivity mark should be
marked onto the transparent paper containing the field curve. This yields E 2 , ρ 1, and
an estimate of ρ 2 . Read ρ 2 / ρ 1 .

3- Superimpose the transparent paper containing the field curve onto the auxiliary
point diagram. Keep axes parallel at all times. For Q and H type curves, place the
cross -1 over the coordinate origin of the auxiliary diagram. As for A and k type
curves, place the first cross over the left-hand vertical axis of the auxiliary diagram, at
a vertical position corresponding to the value of ρ 2 / ρ 1 .

4- Select the curve on the auxiliary diagram which:

(a) Corresponding to the value of ρ 2 / ρ 1 .
(b) Starts from the position of the cross (1). Superimpose the transparent paper
containing the field curve onto the two-layer master curves sheet.

5- Move one sheet concerning the other (Keep axes parallel) until the right-hand
portion of the field curve matches one of the master curves. During this process, keep
the cross (origin of coordinates of the two-layer master curves sheet) in coincidence at
all times with the auxiliary curve previously drawn.

6- On the transparent paper containing the field curve, mark the position of cross -2
and the resistivity mark from the master curves sheet. The position of the resistivity
mark gives ρ 3 , the resistivity of the third layer, or calculated from the ratio ρ 3 / ρ f .

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 7- Superpose the field curve once again onto the auxiliary diagram. Place the cross in
the same position as for step (4). The cross -2 will now lie on or close to one of the
dashed lines. The dashed line will be identified by a number, which equals E 2 / E 1 or
h 1 /h 2 .

8- From E 1 (h 1 ) and E 2 / E 1 compute E 2 . An example of this interpretation procedure

is given in Figure (3).

- ρf

hf

Figure (3):- Interpretation of 3-lyare field curves using 2-lyare master curves (Ebert
method).

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