Apparent Electrical Resistivity Value and Borehole Data Correlation

Aziman Madun; Melvern Goh Keat   Heng; Mohd Khaidir   Abu Talib; Faizal   Pakir; Mohd Firdaus   Md Dan; Shahrul Niza   Mokhatar; Muhammad Nizam   Zakaria; Saiful Azhar   Ahmad Tajudin; Badee    Alshameri

doi:10.37934/araset.56.1.203211

Authors

Aziman Madun Faculty of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia
Melvern Goh Keat Heng Faculty of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia
Mohd Khaidir Abu Talib Faculty of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia
Faizal Pakir Faculty of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia
Mohd Firdaus Md Dan Faculty of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia
Shahrul Niza Mokhatar Faculty of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia
Muhammad Nizam Zakaria Geo-Structure Rehabilitation Centre, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysi
Saiful Azhar Ahmad Tajudin Preston Geocem Sdn. Bhd., No.16A, Jalan Kencana 1A/25, Taman Pura Kencana, Sri Gading, 83300 Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia
Badee Alshameri School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37934/araset.56.1.203211

Keywords:

Apparent resistivity value, Borehole data, Soil properties, Correlation

Abstract

Geotechnical engineering requires a thorough understanding of subsurface conditions to inform design and construction processes. Traditional borehole testing, while commonly used, has limitations in terms of cost, time, coverage, and its destructive nature. To overcome these challenges, geophysical methods like electrical resistivity have been adopted as complementary techniques. Electrical resistivity offers advantages such as faster data collection, larger subsurface imaging, non-destructive testing, and environmental friendliness. Previous research has also shown promising agreement between electrical resistivity and certain geotechnical parameters. This study aimed to establish correlations between apparent resistivity values and geotechnical parameters to predict soil properties. Four soil investigation projects combined borehole testing with electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) to analyse the data. Subsurface tomographic profiles were generated using ZondRes2D software. The standard penetration test number of blow (SPT N-value) was obtained directly from borehole drilling, and laboratory tests determined the liquid limit and percentage of fine grains (silt and clay). However, the correlation analysis between apparent resistivity values and the studied soil properties showed insignificant correlations. As a result, the ERT method was deemed insufficient in reliably predicting soil properties. The study concludes that there are limitations in using the ERT method for interpreting subsurface soil properties.