Geophysical Method
• Geophysical exploration techniques permit a rapid evolution of sub soil
characteristics
• These methods also allow rapid coverage ge of large areas and less expansive
than conventional exploration by drilling
illing .However in many cases,
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sults is difficult.
definitive interpretation of the results diffi
• For that reason such techniquee should be used for preliminary work only.
• The major geophysical method hod are gravitational,
gravit magnetic, seismic(
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refraction and reflection)) and electrical resistivity.
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• Out of these Seismic Refraction
action and Electrical Resistivity are commonly
used for Civil Engineering
eering purposes.
1) Seismic methodod
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a) Seismic
eismic Refraction
b) Seismicic Reflection
Reflec (Two Way Travel Time)
c) Continuouss Surface
Su Wave System ( Determine G &Den.)
d) Down Hole Seismic Survey ( Cheapest & Simplest).
Seismic Refraction Method
• The seismic refraction method is based on the property of seismic waves
to refract (or be bent) when they travel from om one
on medium to another of
ty of wave transmission
different density or elasticity. The velocity tr changes
as it enters another material with different properties
fferent elastic pro
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• hat allow the computation
Seismic refraction calculations that compu of layer
thickness.
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• iable in establishing
This method is fast and reliable establishi profiles of different strata,
“provided that dipper layerr have increasingly
incr greater density and thus
higher velocities.”
•
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This method provide
vide detailed information
info on the distribution of sub layer
and thickness with h respect to seis
seismic velocity.
• But the exact type of material
ateria cannot however be recognized and the
exploration should be supplemented by boring and sampling.
Seismic Refraction Line
Geophone
Geophone and Spread Line Shot
point plate
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The center of this short seismic refraction line is a ruggedized
laptop and the yellow seismograph that collects signals from a
line of geophones.
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Electrical Resistivity Method
• The electrical resistivity of any conducting material
materia having length L and cross
sectional area A can be defined as
•
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ʌ =RA/L
• R=electrical resistance in ohm-m m or ohm-cm
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• Each soil has its own resistivity
vity (depending on water content and
concentration of dissolved ion on in them)
them
• Saturated clay----------- low resistivity
resisti
• Dry soils (gravel and high resistivity
nd rock)---------- h
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• Outside electrodes es are used to send an electrical current( usually a DC current
with nonpolorising potential
tential electrodes)
e in to the ground (50-100milliampere)
• the voltage drop V is measured between the two inside electrodes.
• If the soil profile is homogenous then its electrical resistivity is given by
• ʌ = 2 ʋ DV/I
Electrical resistivity range of different materials
Formation Electrical resistivity
resistiv range ȍ
Clay 0
5 to 30
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Wet sand 0 to 150
20
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Sand stone 300
30 to 3
Lime stone 100 to 800
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Dry sand 250 to 4000
Granite 1000 to 20,000
Earth resistivity meter used in situ
Smart electrode (horizontal “cylinder”) connected
to the stainless steel rod (electrode).
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Multi-electrode array used in situ
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