3D electrical resistivity tomography as an aid in investigating gravimetric water content and shear strength parameters

The three-dimensional representation of geotechnical parameters distribution helps geotechnical and civil engineers in the design and successful construction of any structure. 3D Electrical Resistivity Tomography is a fast, inexpensive, reliable and non-destructive method for determining the soil parameters below ground level in the studied area. It is very useful to develop an acceptable correlation between electrical resistivity and geotechnical parameters to determine their three dimensional distribution at the site. In this study, a correlation was developed between the electrical resistivity and each of the parameters of gravimetric water content, cohesion and internal angle of friction, with laboratory measurements of geotechnical parameters and electrical resistivity field studies. The results showed that electrical resistivity had a power relationship with the gravimetric water content. The relationship between electrical resistivity and any of the parameters of cohesion and internal angle of friction was determined linearly. According to the three-dimensional distribution of electrical resistivity and mathematical relations obtained from regression operations, three-dimensional distribution of gravimetric water content, cohesion and internal angle of friction were presented as horizontal layers at different depths.