ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY

METHOD
INTRODUCTION

 Active Geophysical method.

 Makes up a large portion of all geophysical methods used.
 One of the oldest and most versatile methods used for
subsurface exploration.
 Used in study of horizontal and vertical discontinuities in the
electrical properties of ground.
INTRODUCTION

 Electrical Resistivity of a conductor:

ρ = RA / L

R = Electrical Resistance (ohms)

A = Area of cross section of conductor (sqcm)
L = Length of conductor(cm)
ρ = Electrical Resistivity (ohm-centimeter)
INTRODUCTION

 Few factors influencing ground resistivity:

 Type of mineral

 Water content

 Concentration of dissolved ions

 Porosity

 Degree of water saturation etc.

 Rocks and dry soils > Saturated clays

PRINCIPLE

 Basic principle – Injection of Current into ground using a

pair of electrodes.
 Current causes Potential Difference in ground which is
measured by a separate pair of electrodes.
 Voltage measured, using other parameters, converted
into Apparent Resistivity Value.
 Provide a range of information regarding the material
tested.
 Different soil composition – Different resistivity.
PRINCIPLE
A,B – Current Electrodes M,N – Potential Electrodes

Apparent Resistivity, ρa= k V/I

k- Geometric factor, depends on electrode configuration (array)
Resistivity of Different Rocks and Soils

Type of Soil / Rock Resistivity (Ohm-m)

Sound Rock >5000
Weathered Rock 1500 - 2500
Gravel 1500 - 4500
Sand 500 - 1500
Clayey Sand 200 - 500
Saturated Clay and Sand 2 - 100
1) Electrical Profiling Method

 Also known as resistivity mapping method.

 Four electrodes used at constant spacing D.
 D.C. applied to outer current electrodes.
 Current of 50 to 100 milliamp usually supplied.
 Voltage drop measured between inner potential
electrodes.
 Resistivity ρ = 2πDV / I
 Obtained mean resistivity upto depth ‘D’ below ground
surface.
 Depth of current penetration = Spacing of electrodes.
 Electrodes moved as group and different profile lines run
across the area.
 Repeated after changing the spacing ‘D’.
 Used for establishing boundaries between different
strata.
 Generally used for locating sand and gravel deposits
within a fine grained soil deposit.
2) Electrical Sounding Method
 Electrode system expanded about a fixed location.
 Spacing gradually increased to a distance equal to depth
of exploration.
 Changes in mean resistivity correlated to changes in strata
at that location.
 Used for studying changes in strata with increasing depth.
 Can indicate sub-surface variation when a hard layer
overlies a soft layer or vice-versa.
 Also used to locate water table.
ELECTRODE CONFIGURATIONS
 Schlumberger Array
 Identify presence of local inhomogeneity or
lateral changes in the neighbourhood of the
potential electrodes.
 Wenner Array
 Superior in distinguishing lateral from vertical
variations in resistivity.
 Dipole – Dipole Array
 Useful for measuring lateral resistivity
changes and has been increasingly used in
geotechnical applications
 Pole – Pole Array
 Pole – Dipole Array
ERM v/s CONVETIONAL METHODS
ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY METHOD CONVENTIONAL METHODS
Offer larger data coverage. Provide information at drilling point only.

Capable to conduct in difficult accessibility Lacks equipment and application for difficult
situation. Suitable for investigation of accessibility condition.
saltwater intrusion, groundwater pollution,
indicate shallow aquifer for water resources,
contamination, leachate etc.

Non-destructive method Destructive method

Generally effective in terms of cost and time Expensive and limited.

Consuming.
APPLICATIONS
 Electrical grounding studies
 Geological mapping
 Hydrogeology
 Environmental studies (contaminant mapping, landfill
sites)
 Mineral exploration (induced polarisation (IP) surveys)
 Map heavy metal soil contamination
 Map archaeological sites
 Locate voids
LIMITATIONS
 Capable of detecting only strata having different electrical
resistivity.
 Results difficult to interpret.
 Susceptible to:
 Broad spectrum external electric currents
 Site conditions
 Requires large area , away from power lines and
grounded metallic structures.
 Minimum half the distance between max electrode spacing
 Difficulty in ensuring geometry of arrays.
 Field work tends to be more labour intensive.
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